New Delhi: Aiming to clinch the semi-final berth at the earliest, a confident India would be eyeing for another commanding performance when they meet an out-of-sorts Bangladesh in their third Group league match of the ICC World Twenty20 at Mirpur today.
India have looked invincible so far and walked over Pakistan and the West Indies with complete ease, thanks to their spinners, especially Amit Mishra. Pacers Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami have also looked good while Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have looked the best among the batsmen. Whats more interesting is that the Indian bowlers, who were criticized before the tournament, have managed to restrict the opponents within 130 or less.
Suresh Raina, making a comeback after being dropped from the Asia Cup, has found some of his old touch again and looks as dangerous as ever in the middle-order. However, India will be worried about another comeback man, Yuvraj Singh, who has continued to struggle and nearly put India in trouble during their match against the West Indies.
Bangladesh started the qualifying phase with easy wins over tricky opponents in Afghanistan and Nepal. But against rank minnows Hong Kong, they produced a woeful show. Bangladesh then played West Indies, who recovered from their loss to India to thrash the hosts by 73 runs. The defending champions amassed 171 runs for seven wickets. They then skittled Bangladesh for a lowly 98. So, Bangladesh would like to stop the rot but it will be difficult against India.
Tamim Iqbal, Shakib-al-Hasan and Rahim, senior players in the side, will have to take up the responsibility of instilling some spirit into the team before their big clash against India. The hosts have some useful spinners in the side in conditions that have favoured the slower bowlers so far and Rahim will need them to step up and keep the power-packed Indian batting line-up in check.
Abhishek De