India comfortably beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in their first match in Group 1 but they can’t afford to be complacent especially when the team’s batting is yet to find its rhythm.
T20 World Cup, Mark sheet , Schedule
Despite India’s formidable record against Bangladesh, the ‘Men in Blue’ remain wary of their daring opponents. Off the field, Bangladesh has often expressed concerns about India’s financial dominance in the game, adding another layer to their cricketing rivalry.
India are undoubtedly the title favourites in the ongoing T20 World Cup, having put up a valiant performance against Afghanistan in their first ‘Super 8’ match. With only one day of travel left for their remaining two matches, the team will be hoping for a better performance from their underperforming players.
opening pair Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma, who got good starts but failed to convert them into big scores, tops the list of players who have succumbed to pressure. Despite his conscious efforts to increase the pace, it has yielded little benefit. Another team member facing scrutiny is left-hander shivam dubeyWho was selected for his ability to hit sixes in the middle and death overs. However, the IPL form that earned him a place in the World Cup is no longer there and he has not made any significant contribution yet.
The left-handed batsman contributed an unbeaten 31 against USA in a group-stage match, but Suryakumar Yadav’s performance ultimately proved to be decisive. If he fails to perform well once again, the team management might be forced to consider including Sanju Samson in the middle order.
The most encouraging aspect of India’s batting performance in the match against Afghanistan was the brief but impressive innings of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder is known for his powerful batting, which he displayed on Thursday.
Regarding the bowling lineup, India are likely to retain the same combination, with talented left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav being given a chance for the first time in the tournament.
Caribbean pitches have offered ample assistance to spinners, encouraging India to field three spinners at the Kensington Oval. This combination is expected to continue, with Kuldeep replacing Mohammed Siraj.
After the match against Afghanistan, Axar Patel said, “I think it is beneficial to play with three left-arm spinners. We have three left-arm spinners, two of whom are finger spinners and one is a wrist spinner.”
He said, “The combination of the three of us is very good. We have a good team. We communicate well among ourselves. Whoever comes to bowl first, we communicate with him about what is working and what is not. I think it is very important when you bowl as a unit.”
India’s main aim in the Caribbean tour is to secure the title and a great performance against Bangladesh will give the team even more confidence to achieve this goal. However, Australia will be another big challenge on June 24.
After the loss against Australia, Bangladesh is now in a precarious position where they must win their upcoming match. Their batting problems have persisted throughout the tournament, and the absence of a power-hitter in their lineup has been a major hindrance. Unfortunately, there is no immediate solution to this issue.
To make matters worse, the disappointing performances of openers Liton Das and Tanjid Khan have only added to Bangladesh’s woes. Their inability to provide a solid start has put additional pressure on the middle order, making it difficult for the team to post a competitive score.
“It’s very important for the top order to score runs like today, it’s a big encouragement; hopefully, the bowlers will continue their form as well. We are hoping for a good performance against India in the next match,” Bangladesh captain Nazmul Shanto said after their loss to Australia in Antigua on Friday.
Shanto and Tauhid Hridaya showed their skills by scoring 41 and 40 runs respectively, but the remaining batsmen struggled to make significant contributions. The Bangladeshi team faces a tough challenge in countering Bumrah’s exceptional bowling. With eight wickets to his name and an impressive economy rate of just 3.46 runs per over, Bumrah has been a dominating force in the series so far.
The pace attack led by Mustafizur Rahman has done quite well, but the spin department needs to be strengthened. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain needs extra support from his fellow spinners to form a more balanced and effective bowling unit.
