WC 2015 IND vs BAN: Here’s why Bangladesh stand a chance to win against MS Dhoni-led Team India
Mumbai: Defending champions Team India, who currently hold an unbeaten record in group stages, will look to maintain its winning streak as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men take on Bangladesh in the ICC Cricket World Cup’s second quarterfinal at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.
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Securing top position in Pool B has now given India a match against the weakest team of the quarterfinalists (on paper). Bangladesh finished fourth in Pool A having caused the only significant upset in the competition so far when they knocked England out of the tournament.
Who would have even thought a team, tagged as minnows, will show the grit and confidence required to create history and enter the last eight. But Mashrafe Mortaza and his side can spring something out of the blue that may leave Dhoni and company in the same situation as Eoin Morgan and his boys.
(Photo: AP)
India have faced Bangladesh 28 times but they will always remember the potentials of underestimating their opponents. The Tigers had knocked the Indians out in ICC World Cup 2007 in Port of Spain.
With Bangladesh’s star bowler Rubel Hossain in fine form off late, picking up four wickets in the match against England, he can cause a lot of disappointments to Virat Kohli and the rest of India’s strong batting line-up.
Mind you now that he’s got an added boost. His girlfriend Naznin Akter Happy, who earlier accused him of rape has now dropped charges against him and has confessed her love for Hossain. Can this be the all awaited push Hossain needs against the Indians?
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Not so long ago in 2012 during the Asia Cup in Dhaka, India were humiliated at the hands of Bangladesh after a shock five-wicket defeat. If Bangladesh are to stun the Men in Blue and reach the last four of a World Cup for the first time, they are likely to require a starring performance from Shakib Al Hasan, whose innings with the bat was instrumental during the Asia Cup (49 off 31).
(Photo: AP)
Shakib is rated as the second best all-rounder in the world by the International Cricket Council (ICC). With seven wickets and 186 runs in the World Cup so far, he’s one of the key players for the Men in Green. And he does believe that Bangladesh are capable of an encore.
And finally, in the time where ‘Mauka’ seems to be trolling everyone else, the Tigers have showed who’s the boss by coming out with their own version of ‘Mauka’ trolling Team India heavily. Come Thursday at the MCG, it could be anybody’s day.
Bangladesh cannot be taken lightly, having only been beaten convincingly by Sri Lanka in the group stage. While Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed that he wouldn’t mind playing India once again in the semis, Mortaza and Bangladesh may roar a bit louder and disappoint ‘Tuk tuk’ Misbah.
And, to top it all, they know they have nothing to lose!
