🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: S8 - Match 47: India vs Bangladesh @8:00 PM IST🏏 - Page 3

09:15 local, 13:15 GMT, 18:45 IST: We are just a week away from the World Cup final. Just 6 fixtures remain in the Super 8 stage. Hello and a warm welcome. We have officially entered that phase of the tournament. While a loss for Bangladesh could steer them close to the exit door, a win for India will boost their semi-final chances massively. Which team are you backing today?

The answer is a well known fact!!

India are only one of the three sides to have remained undefeated in this tournament. The men in blue found themselves in challenging situations, but managed to find a way to make it 4/4 (one game was a wash-out) thus far. Bangladesh, after losing their previous game to Australia at this very venue (Antigua), will be keen to turn things around and stay in hunt for the semis.

The Indian team has steadfastly remained indifferent to the varying conditions and ground dimensions, which have differed significantly from venue to venue in this World Cup. They are prepared for the challenges posed by the Antigua pitch and outfield in their second Super 8 game against Bangladesh today.

Maddy asks: "Will India bite the bullet and make a change to their batting order by moving VK to no.3. That's what great teams do. They are more rational than emotional in their mid-series decision making."

For Bangladesh, this game is a must-win. India will not want to falter here, even though their NRR received a massive fillip after that win over Afghanistan. It's Bangladesh's spinners v India's not-so-firing batting line-up.

Why Pant in top order works for India

If Rishabh Pant opens, on a good day when the openers aren’t separated for at least four-five overs, it leaves Virat Kohli staring into the middle-over expanse. If the tracks slow up post the powerplay as they have generally done, then a freshly-in Kohli would have a few decisions to take. In theory, he could play the situation, nurdle the ball around for say a 30-ball 25 or 35, before he tries to free his arms. The idea is that his technically-proficient batting will be suitable to negotiate that phase.

But as we saw against Afghanistan on Thursday, it will be the old Kohli style of batting. He has to extend himself to crack out the boundaries and sixes in such conditions where the ball stops a touch on landing. If India are looking to consolidate in this phase, then it’s not a problem, but if they are intent on trying to be aggressive as their stated and attempted objectives have been this tournament, then he might not be the right fit there.

Rajat : "Any suggestions on moving Rishabh up to opener and moving Kohli to 3 to get quicker starts?" -- Unlikely. Remember Rohit's words from prior to the tournament? Openers are fixed. All other positions flexible.

Parvez Alam wants none of the extra spice. "Let's wish both the team a good luck. I am anticipating a respectful friendly display of gentleman cricket." -- Meanwhile, we caught up with some Bangladesh fans on what they think of this rivalry.

Arif: "@Shashank - How can you miss the most recent meeting in last T20WC where Litton das's flying start took the match away from India but KL Rahul's direct hit to dismiss him changed everything. There was some argument about wet outfield." -- Thanks for pointing me to it. Always grateful to our loyal readers like you to fill us in on what we miss out.

Rajat : "Any suggestions on moving Rishabh up to opener and moving Kohli to 3 to get quicker starts?" -- Unlikely. Remember Rohit's words from prior to the tournament? Openers are fixed. All other positions flexible.

What's Bangladesh's best chance to beat India? For long they've relied on Mustafizur. They've now got another trumpcard in Rishad Hossain, who frankly Sunil Joshi, their former spin consultant, told me about in 2018. It's taken a while for him to get much love from the selectors and team management. But his numbers so far are compelling. Tamim Iqbal has another suggestion to Chandika Hathurasinghe & co on the batting line-up.

Vikram Rathour, India batting coach, on the abundance of allrounders in the team

"We've always had depth as a team, I believe. But yeah, these conditions maybe suit us more because we can afford to play two or three spinners at times. So that I believe can be our best team. That is our strength. That has been our strength. So yeah, it feels like because somebody like Axar [Patel] playing at eight gives you a lot of confidence because he can bat and he's bowling really well at the moment. So, it does give you a lot of options"