Preview India vs Bangladesh

First game of cricket’s big event world cup 2011, is kicking of today with both co-hosts playing against each other. Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur is ready to host first knock. Bangladesh has been gripped by cricket fever all over the country.

The Tigers upset India by five wickets in their first match of the previous World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007 causing India to be knocked out in the first round itself. Following this victory they have created big upset by beating South Africa in super eight round.

India have won 20 of their 22 one-day matches against the Tigers, but Bangladeshi fans are confident about winning the day-night match. Familiar home conditions that assist the slow left-arm spin of Shakib and Abdur Razzak. Bangladesh have won seven out of 10 encounters at home soil in recent past which includes whitewash over New Zealand. They will have benifit of home soil while Dhoni’s team seems very confident to start their campaign with win over Bangladesh.

India has performed really well in warm-up matches and won both of them against Australia and New Zealand respectively. Dhoni’s men are mainly rely on batting line up which has record holder Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who is probably playing his last world cup. Pace bowling is still a concern for India as it is totally dependant on Zaheer Khan, Other pacers are failed to impress in recent past and in warm up matches too. In this situation India has to rely on spinners to perform well in bowling department.

Yuvraj Singh’s form is also concern for India. Top order is filled with Sehwag, Sachin in opening and Gambhir following them at third place. Virat Kohli is good contender of fourth place and he has been very consistent in past few months. His contribution in past few months is very good for batting line up. Yousuf Pathan can be used as all rounder who provides good batting in death overs and one bowling option as spinner.

The main thing people looking at is who will sit out from the eleven. Dhoni might have to drop Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina.

India definitely have upper hand in this match but Bangladesh cant be underestimated specially on their home soil. Sakib-al-Hasan is very impressive as captain as well as all rounder.

Lets hope India start their campaign with easy win which gives lot of confident going further in the tournament.