CT 2017: India v Bangladesh, Semi-Final 2 – Match Result Predictions

India will take on Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston, Birmingham. It’s the new age rivalry between the two countries and has grown intense in the past couple of years. The fans of both teams are anticipating for the match big time. A few years ago, it would not have grabbed so much attention but with the tremendous growth of Bangladesh cricket, it attracts viewership like any other marquee clash in cricket.

The defending champions India were being deemed as the favorites once again and for the most part in their campaign, they have played like champions. First, they decimated Pakistan and in the next match, put up a huge score on the board against Sri Lanka but were stunned by Lankan batsmen. Then in a virtual quarter-final, the No.1 team in the world South Africa was made to look ordinary by India as they made it to the next round finishing on top of the table.

Bangladesh have had a mixed bag so far as they put up a 300+ score against England in the first game but the bowlers failed to defend. They got lucky against Australia as rain interrupted which resulted in an abandonment to give them a point.When people thought they were a misfit in the tournament, they put up a superb performance against New Zealand and knocked them out. England defeating Australia gave them a lifeline as they reached the semi-finals.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 270-280

Result prediction: India will win the match by 5 wickets

Scenario 2: Bangladesh wins the toss

Toss prediction: Bangladesh will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 310-320

Result prediction: India will win the match by more than 30 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 33, India Won – 26, Bangladesh Won – 5, No Result – 2

Neutral Venues: Total Matches – 6, India Won – 5, Bangladesh Won – 1

Historically, India have been the dominant side but Bangladesh is the most improved side in the recent years. The Indian team won’t take them lightly by any means. India had defeated Bangladesh earlier in the practice match in a one-sided affair but this one is expected to be tightly contested.

Playing Combinations

India:

Shikhar Dhawan has been in a magnificent form and is the current leading run-getter. His partner Rohit Sharma too has 2 fifties to his name. Virat Kohli also has 2 scores in excess of 50 and has started to strike the purple patch. Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni have played a decisive innings each and the experienced duo provides stability to the middle-order. Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya can be devastating at the end of the innings.

After faltering against Sri Lanka, the bowlers made a remarkable comeback to bowl South Africa out for 191. The pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliant first spells and kept the openers quiet that proved to be the turning point. Ravichandran Ashwin made a mark straight away after his selection and Ravindra Jadeja also bowled superbly. Pandya will be doing the duties of the 5th bowler once again.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal has been outstanding so far getting a century and a fifty but got out on a duck in the last game. Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman have disappointed and even Mushfiqur failed after the fifty in the first match. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah constructed a match-winning partnership of 224 against the Kiwis which will give them confidence. There is talent in the line-up and they are capable of upsetting the Indians.

Taskin Ahmed was the only pacer who did well in the last game but the others received a beating at the hands of the Kiwi batsmen. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain will have to bring their A game against the Indian batting. Mosaddek Hossain, surprisingly, bowled at the death and bagged 3 wickets. The line-up has the potential but it will have a stern test against the in-form Indian batsmen.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Bangladesh have defeated India a few times in the recent times and India would be wary of that. There is no way, for even a moment, would they take the opposition lightly. It promises to be a riveting encounter and both sides would leave no stones unturned.

We predict India will win the game and set up the summit clash against Pakistan.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.