India vs Bangladesh play second quarter-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday, March 19. The winner of the contest will face the winner of the third quarter-final between Australia and Pakistan, the semi-final of which is to be held on March 26.
India return to the scene of one of their most memorable wins in this World Cup taming South Africa after beating Pakistan in their opening game in Adelaide. India have managed their recovery and training, including backroom preparation, well. They can add another victory on Thursday if they approach the match with due respect.India's bowling attack has acquitted itself admirably, with the team being the only one to claim all 60 wickets in the league phase. In the run-up to this game, the players have found the right mix of intensity and joy.India with their power-packed performance throughout the past one month have emerged as worthy contenders for retaining the Cup alongside former champions Australia and co-hosts New Zealand.Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav in the enforcers’ roles, and Mohit Sharma and R Ashwin entrusted with mid-innings constriction. The team conceded more than 250 to both Ireland and Zimbabwe on smaller ovals in New Zealand, and the bowlers will undoubtedly enjoy being back at the MCG, where fours and sixes are that much more difficult to hit.
Bangladesh have batted in the World Cup, Mahmudullah scoring back-to-back hundreds against England and New Zealand, their only 300-plus score came against lowly Scotland. Unless their pace bowlers step up the plate, they will find it hard to stop India from making it to the Sydney semifinal against Australia or Pakistan.Thursday will be among Bangladesh cricket's biggest days, not because they will be playing their 300th ODI but more since they have put themselves in line for a semifinal spot for the first time. With fearlessness as their accomplice, they will be primed to give it their best shot just as they attempted in their last game against New Zealand.
MCG, the largest cricketing venue in the world, will be a challenge for batsmen to get runs along their way, especially when getting the boundaries along. The pitch has produced balanced contests between the bat and the ball. Though the India will enter the match as favourites, due to an in-form bowling unit as well as a strong batting order, they will underestimate Bangladesh at the peril, especially with a batting line-up that consists of the likes of Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman.
India return to the scene of one of their most memorable wins in this World Cup taming South Africa after beating Pakistan in their opening game in Adelaide. India have managed their recovery and training, including backroom preparation, well. They can add another victory on Thursday if they approach the match with due respect.India's bowling attack has acquitted itself admirably, with the team being the only one to claim all 60 wickets in the league phase. In the run-up to this game, the players have found the right mix of intensity and joy.India with their power-packed performance throughout the past one month have emerged as worthy contenders for retaining the Cup alongside former champions Australia and co-hosts New Zealand.Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav in the enforcers’ roles, and Mohit Sharma and R Ashwin entrusted with mid-innings constriction. The team conceded more than 250 to both Ireland and Zimbabwe on smaller ovals in New Zealand, and the bowlers will undoubtedly enjoy being back at the MCG, where fours and sixes are that much more difficult to hit.
Watch ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter Finals Match 2 - India vs Bangladesh - Highlights
Bangladesh have batted in the World Cup, Mahmudullah scoring back-to-back hundreds against England and New Zealand, their only 300-plus score came against lowly Scotland. Unless their pace bowlers step up the plate, they will find it hard to stop India from making it to the Sydney semifinal against Australia or Pakistan.Thursday will be among Bangladesh cricket's biggest days, not because they will be playing their 300th ODI but more since they have put themselves in line for a semifinal spot for the first time. With fearlessness as their accomplice, they will be primed to give it their best shot just as they attempted in their last game against New Zealand.
See Quarter Finals Schedule
Bangladesh will, however, take encouragement from the fact that some of its key players lift their game when it comes to playing India. Mushfiqur Rahim averages 30 in ODIs. Against India, that figure goes up to 42. Shakib Al Hasan has made five half-centuries in ten innings against India.Mahmudullah (344 runs) might pose some problems for India's bowlers after his back-to-back centuries against England at Adelaide and against New Zealand in Hamilton in their last league game.Even Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan can throw some challenges but that is not something that Dhoni and his boys would lose their sleep over it.MCG, the largest cricketing venue in the world, will be a challenge for batsmen to get runs along their way, especially when getting the boundaries along. The pitch has produced balanced contests between the bat and the ball. Though the India will enter the match as favourites, due to an in-form bowling unit as well as a strong batting order, they will underestimate Bangladesh at the peril, especially with a batting line-up that consists of the likes of Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman.
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