Nidahas Trophy, Match 5 - BAN v IND Preview: India aiming to seal Final berth

A couple of stabilizing knocks from both Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik ensured that India went on top of the table following what seemed to be a regulation victory for them against a strong Sri Lankan side. However, they have by no means sealed a berth in the final, something that eluded them in the very first match of the ongoing Nidahas Trophy. The bowling has also seemingly clicked after the likes of Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat found their form once again while Washington Sundar was at his economical best, to say the least.

However, in contrast to India, Bangladesh is staring at the bottom of the table despite their inspiring and record-breaking win over Sri Lanka a few days back. Of course, they did indeed make a comeback, but Mahmudullah’s men are currently sitting at the wrong end of the points table, something they will be hoping to correct as they face India in the fifth match of the tournament. In addition to this, their squad depth is something that will indeed come into play with the variation they boast of.

As witnessed in the match between India and Sri Lanka, the chances of rain in the R Premadasa Stadium are plentiful, something that could eventually lead to the points being split between both sides.

Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik(w), Vijay Shankar, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah(c), Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Abu Hider Rony, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam

Playing Combination

Bangladesh

The Bangladeshis will enter the tournament on the back of some terrific performances in the match against Sri Lanka. Mushfiqur Rahim’s impressive knock combined with cameos with the bat from the likes of Mahmudullah Liton Das and a few others would ensure that they kept their hopes alive in the greater context of the Nidahas Trophy.

However, there are a few tweaks that will be expected given the performances of individual players as well as a few conditions that may well ensure that there will be a few changes in the side. Nazmul Islam and Mehidy Hasan will be expected to keep their place in the side as spinners, something that may indeed witness one of the fast bowlers lose their places in the side to, say the least.

India

As mentioned earlier, the Indians are on a high following that impressive win over the hosts the previous night. It is a performance many are used to and are accustomed to witnessing the Indians perform. However, a few tweaks will be expected, especially since this is the last game of the tournament as far as the group stages are concerned. In spite of not being in the greatest of form with the bat, Rohit Sharma will keep his place in the side as captain along with a few other senior players who are seemingly integral to the Indian core.

Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Siraj are the only players yet to get a game, something that may well see the Indian management add them to the starting lineup. KL Rahul’s return was marked with a step onto the stumps. He may be replaced by Deepak Hooda. Axar Patel might take the place of Vijay Shankar in the side given the turn the Premadasa has to offer.

Head to Head

Played – 6 India – 6 Bangladesh – 0

Focus on

Mushfiqur Rahim

The minuscule wicketkeeper-batsman was the talk of the town in the match against the Sri Lankans following some impressive performances with the bat, scoring an unbeaten half-century as the Bangladeshis clawed their way back into the Nidahas Trophy. While he did show some spark the last time he played India, the fact is that he will be expected to make things happen with the bat given the fact that he is one of the senior-most players in the side.

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar’s impressive bowling effort against Sri Lanka ensured that the latter was reduced to a score of 150 odd in their quota of 19 overs, something that seemed too few runs for the hosts. The 27-year old was brought into the grand scheme of things at a time when the hosts were on the ascendency and pegged them back with force. This included the important wicket of Upul Tharanga while stemming the flow of runs.

Stat Attack

Rohit Sharma scored 60 runs in 6 T20I innings in 2018 at an average of 10.

Match timing: 7:00 pm (IST & Local)

Broadcast details

TV: DSport

Online: YuppTV