Indian supporters right now have a smug look about them. England crashing out to Bangladesh was celebrated as enthusiastically on this side of the Bengal border as the other. The reasons, though, were quite different: as a friend gleefully remarked, “However England have played this edition, they’ve already beaten us once in Australia. But Bangladesh, we’ll defeat them in our sleep.” Most Indian fans have already started formulating plans for the semi-final where India, if they qualify, will play either Australia or Pakistan.
Bangladesh, though, have been quietly preparing for this match-up, trying to stay calm despite the massive hype back home. Their Sri Lankan coach, Chandika Hathurusingha has talked about ‘enjoying the occasion’ and has let the world know that "Bangladesh are here because we deserve it".
1. Mahmudullah must fire…again
With a total run tally of 344 runs in five games at an average of 86, Mahmudullah is in scintillating form. In both his centuries in this tournament, he rescued Bangladesh from precarious positions and pulled out the big shots at the end. Bangladesh will be hoping the law of averages does not catch up with him, because if he fires again, Bangladesh will have cause to celebrate.
2. Someone must support Mahmudullah
Against a team as strong as India, Bangladesh cannot afford to rely on just Mahmudullah. At different stages of their campaign, Mushfiqur, Soumya, Tamim have looked promising but failed to push on. This is the stage where Soumya, Tamim, Shakib or Mushfiqur have to put up their hands and support Mahmudullah. Two big knocks will set the platform for Bangladesh to change gears at the fag end of an innings.
3. Shakib has to step up
Shakib Al Hasan has been the talisman of this Bangladeshi side; the pride of Bangladesh and among the best all-rounders in world cricket today. This World Cup though, Shakib has sizzled and spluttered but still not erupted. Bangladesh need their Shakib to join the party, more so with the ball where he can turn a game around with his canny left-arm spin.
4. Bangladesh need to keep an eye on their economy rate
While Bangladesh’s pace bowlers are getting plenty of laurels, a fact that’s been overlooked is their economy rates have been quite woeful. Rubel has an economy rate of 5.97 while Taskin Ahmed is worse at 6.24. Mortaza has a better economy rate than 4.89 but against a team with the explosive batting potential of India, Bangladesh will need to figure out a way to keep the runs down.
5. Bangladesh must take all their catches
Bangladesh’s fielding has swung between the extraordinary and the very ordinary. At times, they have been like tigers on the field, ready to snap up the ball at every chance. However, in their enthusiasm, they often get carried away: case in point, the game against Sri Lanka, played at the MCG where they play against India tomorrow. They dropped a total of 5 catches in that match and even missed two run-outs and looked utterly shambolic on the field. If they drop Dhawan or Kohli early, they can kiss their chances of progressing to the semi-final goodbye.
Bangladesh, though, have been quietly preparing for this match-up, trying to stay calm despite the massive hype back home. Their Sri Lankan coach, Chandika Hathurusingha has talked about ‘enjoying the occasion’ and has let the world know that "Bangladesh are here because we deserve it".
But can Bangladesh realistically aspire to do another 2007? Or will it be a repeat of countless other India-Bangladesh encounters where India will breeze through? Here are five things that have to work out for Bangladesh if they want to upset India’s applecart.
1. Mahmudullah must fire…again
With a total run tally of 344 runs in five games at an average of 86, Mahmudullah is in scintillating form. In both his centuries in this tournament, he rescued Bangladesh from precarious positions and pulled out the big shots at the end. Bangladesh will be hoping the law of averages does not catch up with him, because if he fires again, Bangladesh will have cause to celebrate.
2. Someone must support Mahmudullah
Against a team as strong as India, Bangladesh cannot afford to rely on just Mahmudullah. At different stages of their campaign, Mushfiqur, Soumya, Tamim have looked promising but failed to push on. This is the stage where Soumya, Tamim, Shakib or Mushfiqur have to put up their hands and support Mahmudullah. Two big knocks will set the platform for Bangladesh to change gears at the fag end of an innings.
3. Shakib has to step up
Shakib Al Hasan has been the talisman of this Bangladeshi side; the pride of Bangladesh and among the best all-rounders in world cricket today. This World Cup though, Shakib has sizzled and spluttered but still not erupted. Bangladesh need their Shakib to join the party, more so with the ball where he can turn a game around with his canny left-arm spin.
4. Bangladesh need to keep an eye on their economy rate
While Bangladesh’s pace bowlers are getting plenty of laurels, a fact that’s been overlooked is their economy rates have been quite woeful. Rubel has an economy rate of 5.97 while Taskin Ahmed is worse at 6.24. Mortaza has a better economy rate than 4.89 but against a team with the explosive batting potential of India, Bangladesh will need to figure out a way to keep the runs down.
5. Bangladesh must take all their catches
Bangladesh’s fielding has swung between the extraordinary and the very ordinary. At times, they have been like tigers on the field, ready to snap up the ball at every chance. However, in their enthusiasm, they often get carried away: case in point, the game against Sri Lanka, played at the MCG where they play against India tomorrow. They dropped a total of 5 catches in that match and even missed two run-outs and looked utterly shambolic on the field. If they drop Dhawan or Kohli early, they can kiss their chances of progressing to the semi-final goodbye.
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