India will take on Bangladesh in the 17th game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Thursday. India had recently lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup and they will look to avenge that loss. Furthermore, the Tigers had beaten India by 2-1 in a three-match ODI series in 2022.
India has clicked as a unit so far in the ongoing ODI showpiece, winning all of their three matches. The Men in Blue have already flexed their muscles in the home conditions and they are at the top of the points table (though South Africa has a good chance of leapfrogging them after their match against the Netherlands) with a healthy Net Run Rate.
Team India had passed the acid test against arch-rivals Pakistan with flying colors as they had registered a convincing win of seven wickets. India came up with a collective bowling show with all bowlers, barring Shardul Thakur, bagging two wickets apiece. Moreover, Rohit Sharma continued his purple patch, smashing a blistering knock of 63-ball 86, laden with six fours and as many sixes.
On the other hand, after winning their opening clash against Afghanistan, the Tigers have suffered thumping losses against England and New Zealand. They were beaten comprehensively against the Kiwis by eight wickets in their last game after they could only manage 245 runs on the board.
Shakib Al Hasan is doubtful for the big clash but the team’s director Khaled Mahmud is hopeful that the all-rounder will be available for selection.
Match Prediction: India will start the contest as favorites against Bangladesh but the latter has the team to spring a surprise.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
