India remains the strong favorite to win, even without Jasprit Bumrah. With him in the squad, their chances only improve, but his absence is undoubtedly a setback. Losing their best and most incisive bowler is a significant disadvantage, yet it’s unlikely to derail their title ambitions.
I’ve often highlighted the key difference between 50-over and 20-over cricket—the ability of bowlers to break partnerships, not just early on but also in the middle overs and at crucial moments towards the end. This is where a bowler like Bumrah makes a real impact. However, India’s depth and overall strength should still see them through as top contenders. Bumrah is undoubtedly one of the best in the world at breaking partnerships—arguably the best. Any team would feel the impact of his absence, and India is no exception. That said, they still remain in a very strong position.
In my view, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya should all feature in the playing XI, which likely means Harshit Rana might miss out. However, if he does get the nod, you’d expect him to make a significant contribution.
I’d prefer the left-arm option in Arshdeep, rely on Shami’s experience, and, of course, count on Pandya’s class in the middle overs, with occasional spells up front. Kuldeep is a definite starter for me, alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, so the team should shape up pretty much as expected.
The conditions will be interesting. In Dubai, pace bowlers generally have the edge, while spinners find it a bit tougher. However, with reports of a few new pitches being prepared, we might see some variation in how the surfaces play.
India will be hoping the conditions bring their spinners into play, given their spin-heavy squad. This could provide a great opportunity for them to make a real impact.
One concern I have with India is their focus on left-hand, right-hand batting combinations. While I understand the tactical advantage—and have always supported the approach—I don’t believe it should come at the cost of selecting a less capable batter over a more established, higher-quality player.
Striking the right balance with left-hand, right-hand combinations is crucial. Personally, I believe KL Rahul should be batting higher up the order, taking charge and dictating the pace of the innings.
If that means moving away from rigid left-right pairings, so be it. However, India seems to view it differently. Ultimately, it’s a delicate balance to maintain.
I’m not dismissing the importance of left-hand, right-hand combinations—they can be crucial. But there are times when you simply have to back a player, regardless of that tactical preference.
For India, one of the biggest positives is their in-form players. The top order looks solid, and the runs from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the England series have eased some of the pressure leading into this tournament. Their performances have also helped shift media scrutiny away from them, which is a big boost for the team environment.
The last thing a dressing room needs before a major tournament is constant speculation over the captain and senior players. That series against England has provided India with a more settled, less pressurized build-up—something that could prove invaluable.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are both in fantastic form, with Iyer looking fluent and Gill, now the world’s No. 1 batter, carrying plenty of confidence into the tournament.
As for Bangladesh, while they aren’t the favorites, they certainly have a chance to pull off an upset. Their best opportunity lies in striking early with the new ball. India’s lineup boasts a strong middle and lower-middle order packed with all-rounders, so Bangladesh will need to disrupt the top order early to tilt the game in their favor.
If Bangladesh can force India’s middle order in early, they might just expose a slight vulnerability. Naheed Rana thrives on such challenges, and if their pacers can trouble India with the new ball, it could set the stage for their spinners— Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain—to make an impact later in the innings. That’s likely their best shot at unsettling this formidable Indian side.
They’ll know they have a chance, but they must be incisive with the new ball and strike early.
On the batting front, Tanzid Hasan will be eager to find form and put runs on the board, while Soumya Sarkar, a player I’ve always admired, could play a key role in their campaign.
Bangladesh has a fairly experienced squad, with Najmul Hossain Shanto leading as captain and key players like Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Taskin Ahmed adding depth. While they’ll be without Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal this time, they still have a solid core of players who have competed in major tournaments before. Their experience will be crucial in instilling self-belief within the team.
Pulling off a win against India would be a huge upset, but they do have a chance. That said, India remains the clear favorite heading into this contest.
