Time: 9:00 AM (IST)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Two equal neighbours? No, India is so vast in size. As in size, India is so stronger than their opponents in the all Asian quarterfinal. Bangladesh has for the first time qualified for the knockouts, their nation expects big on them. India, the two-time world champions are en route to winning their successive world cup.
So far
India topped Pool B with 12 points and Bangladesh finished 4th with 6 points, below Sri Lanka because of the lower NRR.
India’s tournament opener was against arch rivals Pakistan which they won by a comfortable 76 runs. From there it was up and running, a winning of 6 consecutive matches meant they are the first Indian team to be undefeated in the group stage. Defending against South Africa and chasing against Zimbabwe and West Indies were of some challenge; in other matches they thumped their authority.
Bangladesh started their game against Afghanistan against whom they lost in Asia Cup, the 105 run victory kick started their tournament but their second match against rampant Aussies was spoiled by rain (blessing in disguise?). Sri Lanka steam rolled them; they chased 300+ score against Scotland, successfully, with 6 wickets to spare. But their strongest performance was against England defending 275 by the margin of 15 runs and giving the best team of the tournament New Zealand a close run.
Both the sides are on opposite sides of the points table from their group stages by which India will be in the lead of the two
Head to Head
Overall
Played: 28
Bangladesh 3 - 24 India
No results/Ties: 1
In World cup
Played: 2
Bangladesh 1 - 1 India
No Result/Ties: 0
Recent results (last five matches, most recent first)
India WWWWW
Bangladesh LWWLNR
Weather Report
With 70% rain chances and for forecasted thunderstorms there might get a shortened game, Remember, there are no reserve days, the team with better points in the group stage will go on.
Pitch
The MCG: the host of the finals had 2 games so far in this world cup. India played South Africa in one and in the other involving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India defended 307 whereas Bangladesh failed to chase down 332. As the scores suggest, the pitch will largely be batting friendly.
X – Factor
Rohit Sharma, the gifted & talented big innings player of India is due a big score, when India last played Australia here, he went on to score 138. The failure of ‘finishers’ in slog overs in first two matches seems to be sorted out. With many left-hand batsmen in the opponent XI, R Ashwin’s off spin will be more than handy.
Bottom heavy batting order with likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan are expected to fire one or two additional cylinders. The young fast bowling group of Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain which swung and troubled English batsmen is required to play a pivotal role.
The big number
103 – Shikhar Dhawan's average in the World Cup against green jersey teams. India’s leading run scorer with twin centuries, if not busted early, is a serious threat.
TEAM FOCUS
India
The one of two undefeated champs in this world cup seems to have no weakness as any. Mostly renowned for over-reliance on batting ability, this time, are succeeding in bowling too.
From a land where batsmen are celebrated more than bowlers, the pack of Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma are bowling more than well; for a change, they are fielding well too. (Mohit's run out of AB de Villiers was the changing point of the tournament).
There has been so much spoken about the positives and the form of Indian contingent so far. The opening partnership went overdrive against hapless Irish bowling, apart from that it never crossed 50. It is crucial in chases. The finishing as said earlier will improve.
Ravindra Jadeja’s place in this very successful XI is quite a mystery: once in 10 occasions he comes good with the bat, famously called the darter hasn’t done too bad with the ball. But if there is a weak link for Bangladeshi left-handers to attack, it is him. With comparatively shorter boundary on one side, he might be the savior or the destroyer. He is one best fielder in the world (except the slip cordon).
Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.
Considering the current form, India are not expected to make any changes to their playing XI.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is no walkovers especially after their performance against bowlers of New Zealand in the form of their life and James Anderson & Co. Pick of their batsman is undoubtedly their first WC centurion, one of the few consecutive centurions this world cup: Mahmudullah. Rahim is doing a great job and Shakib Al Hasan is in some form, although in patches and are their most experienced players supported with a fair knowledge of Indians.
Lead by their captain Mashrafe Mortaza, 19-yr-old Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain have won Bangladesh few games of their own. The usually spin-heavy Bangladesh with 140+ fast bowlers bowling with accuracy is of some surprise. Interestingly, this time their spin (slow left-arm orthodox filled) department is not at its best apart from Shakib.
Tamim Iqbal the aggressor, Soumya Sarkar’s fluent No.3 anchor and Sabbir Rahman's finishing abilities with others mentioned above would be needed the utmost.
For Bangladesh to beat India it requires two or three Glenn Maxwell’s and a Mitchell Starc even if its China-made. Having said all, Bangladesh can spring a surprise or two and their fans are hoping for a miracle of this sort.
Predicted XI
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed.
Mortaza, the captain and leader of the bowling pack is expected to be fit after a rest game. Even if 70% fit, the seamer will play because it is worth the risk it takes.
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