Nidahas Trophy 2018, Match 2 Preview: Scarred India hoping to make up lost ground

Some stupendous batting from Kusal Perera at the R Premadasa seemingly deflated favorites India in the first T20I of the 2018 edition of the Nidahas Trophy. Rohit Sharma now named the captain of the Indian side had yet another dismal outing with the bat, something that he will be hoping to make right as his young side takes on Bangladesh in the second encounter of the series. As Ravi Shastri had stated prior to the start of the series, most of the players within the framework of the squad will be expected to get a game.

In recent times, Bangladesh cricket has risen to such heights not many would have expected, least of all, the Asian giants India. Not having the best of records in the shortest format, Bangladesh will most certainly fancy their chances against a relatively inexperienced Indian contingent. Although Shakib Al Hasan is missing from the side, the Bangladesh outfit still remains to be a formidable force, something that would prompt the Indians not to take them lightly.

As both sides clash in this all-important clash, all eyes will certainly be on the Indians as they aim to make up for their loss in the first encounter against Sri Lanka.

Toss: India won the toss and elected to bowl first

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik(w), Washington Sundar, Vijay Shankar, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Playing Combination

Bangladesh

In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah once again has been installed as the captain of the Bangladesh unit. As mentioned earlier, they remain a formidable unit despite the loss of their skipper with several big names heralding the embers of their squad. Tamim Iqbal has been relieved of his PSL duties and has been made available for the Nidahas Trophy. The middle-order will consist of batting solidity that includes the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das. Sabbir Rahman will be positioned as the finisher and will be expected to bat with the tail if needed.

The bowling unit is one of the best among all three teams. Mustafizur Rahman will carry the burden of leading the attack as he has done in the past while Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain provide additional firepower. Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the youngster who has been impressive on Bangladesh tracks will be hoping to extract some turn from the Premadasa surface.

India

A defeat in the first match ensured that the Indians now have to go back to the drawing board. Shardul Thakur was welcomed back from his impressive tour of South Africa with a pounding from Kusal Mendis. While this did indeed take the Indians by surprise, Rohit Sharma will himself be aiming to return to the form he once boasted of with the bat. Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik are expected to keep their places in the side while it remains to be seen if the Indians do indeed go ahead and include KL Rahul in the setup ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Washington Sundar was one of India’s best bowlers against the Lankans and will keep his place in the side. Axar Patel may come in for Vijay Shankar given the fact that the wicket is conducive to spin. Mohammed Siraj is expected to come into the side ahead of Shardul Thakur, as the latter is expected to be low on confidence.

Head to Head

Played – 5

India – 5

Bangladesh – 0

Focus will be on

Rishabh Pant

The youngster has become the golden boy of Indian cricket in the span of just a year and a half. Having been touted as the successor to MS Dhoni of sorts, Pant has risen up the ranks at speed and now has seemingly become an integral part of what seems to be a second-string side of sorts fielded by the Indians. Pant was also the subject of criticism after failing with the bat in the first match of the series. However, it remains to be seen if he can make up for it against Bangladesh on Thursday.

Mahmudullah

Boasting of flawless technique and Azharuddin-esque aggression, the incumbent Bangladesh skipper has attracted eyeballs with his aggressive captaincy in recent times. However, in spite of all this, his batting has suffered in recent times, giving rise to a few critics questioning if he should be skipper or not and whether or not it affects his batting. Needless to say, he will have to prove his doubters wrong against the Indias.

Stat Attack

India’s loss in the first game against Sri Lanka is only their 2nd loss in a T20I game in Sri Lanka. India’s win-loss record in the T20I format in Sri Lanka is 7-2.

Broadcast Details

Match Timings: 19:00 IST

TV: D Sport

Live Stream: YUPPTV

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