Suresh Raina
Mirpur: A confident Indian cricket team would look to keep the momentum going in its favour as it gears up to complete an expected series victory against minnows Bangladesh in the second of the three-match ODI series in Mirpur today.
Having won the rain-truncated lung-opener fairly comfortably, Suresh Raina's boys are eyeing an unassailable 2-0 lead against Bangladesh which will help them get the much required confidence before the England ODI series comes calling. A series against Bangladesh is a thankless one as one doesn't get credit for a win but faces a lot of backlash if there is a freak defeat.
The 'Men In Blue' will have to guard against complacency as they go for the kill in the second game of the series. The most assuring aspect of India's victory in the first ODI has been the form of the newly-formed opening pair of Robin Uthappa and Ajinkya Rahane.
Both played contrasting but equally important knocks in the final context of the match. Uthappa seems to have carried forward his red-hot form from the Indian Premier League as he treated the Bangladesh bowlers with scant respect during his half-century knock. Rahane was also a picture of confidence during his innings of 64.
Cheteshwar Pujara was the victim of an umpiring blooper and would surely like to make it count as he is likely to get a full series this time. However, time is running out for the Saurashtra 'Run-Machine' as far as cementing his place in the limited overs side is concerned. Skipper Raina and Ambati Rayudu would be hoping to get another decent hit in the middle but obviously not at the expense of a poor opening start.
It will be interesting to see whether India make a few changes or not as far as their bowling department is concerned. Medium pacer Mohit Sharma couldn't complete his full quota of 10 overs owing to an injury which kept him out for the better part of the Bangladesh innings.
There is a possibility that Mohit might be rested and R Vinay Kumar gets to open the bowling with Umesh Yadav, who was the pick of the Indian bowlers yesterday. Vinay has been very expensive in the ODI format with the ignominy of being the only Indian to concede over 100 runs in limited overs format (against Australia).
However, with both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami rested for the series, there are very few options for Raina. These options include Vinay in case Mohit does not get fit in time for the second ODI. Among the debutant spinners, Parveez Rasool was impressive of the two while Akshar Patel might have to make way for either Stuart Binny or Manoj Tiwary -- both of whom are potentially batting all-rounders.
Seniormost spinner Amit Mishra is likely to retain his place in the playing XI. If India complete a series win tomorrow, it will be an ideal platform for the visitors to give opportunity to every touring member of the side as this series has specifically been designed to give exposure to the reserve bench.
Squads:
India: Suresh Raina (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Robin Uthappa, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Akshar Patel, Parveez Rasool, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Amit Mishra, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, R Vinay Kumar.
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyadh, Nasir Hossain, Ziaur Rahaman, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Al-Amin Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Sohag Gazi, Shamsur Rahaman
