🏏India vs Bangladesh, Super Fours, 6th Match, Asia Cup 2023 🏏

🏏India vs Bangladesh, Super Fours, 6th Match, Asia Cup 2023 🏏

Don't even for a moment underestimate the significance of today's India vs. Bangladesh Asia Cup Super 4 match. While the outcome won't affect the tournament standings – India have already secured a spot in the final, and Bangladesh has been eliminated

Historically, India have dominated the head-to-head encounters between the two teams. However, Bangladesh have achieved notable victories over a team that was once considered their 'big brother,' most notably in the 2007 World Cup and the 2012 Asia Cup.

These wins have instilled in the Tigers a belief that they are no longer pushovers. Bangladesh's series victories against India in 2015 and 2022 are testament to their growing self-confidence, although at times, it may have gone a bit too far.

Instances like Mushfiqur Rahim's premature celebrations during the 2016 T20 World Cup and the controversial 'Nagin Dance' have stirred tensions and fueled this intense rivalry between the two Asian teams.

Bangladesh will be missing Mushfiqur Rahim, who is taking time off to be with his family and newborn child. Meanwhile, India are likely to make some adjustments to their Playing XI, with their spot in the final secured after facing Sri Lanka.

It's anticipated that Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma will rest a few key players and provide an opportunity for their bench strength to shine.

Suryakumar Yadav is set to step in for Virat Kohli at No. 3, and Shreyas Iyer, who missed the last two games due to a back spasm, will return to the Playing XI, possibly replacing KL Rahul.

Additionally, there could be a change in the pace-bowling line-up, with Mohammed Shami getting a much-needed game in place of Jasprit Bumrah, who, considering his current form, requires careful workload management.

Some key pointers surrounding India vs. Bangladesh Asia Cup Super Four clash:

1. Although the India vs. Bangladesh game is inconsequential, expect the two teams to come hard at each other given their competitive spirit.

2. The weather in Colombo is slightly better than yesterday, but rainfall is expected at some point during the day.

3. India and Bangladesh have faced each other 14 times in the Asia Cup across ODIs and T20Is, with the Men in Blue comprehensively leading 13 to 1.

4. Bangladesh will be without Mushfiqur Rahim for the last Super 4 match of the Asia Cup.

5. India are expected to make three changes – Suryakumar Yadav for Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer for KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami for Jasprit Bumrah.

India will face Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final on Sunday. The likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah could be given a break ahead of the Asia Cup final and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which begin in India next month.

India: With the India-Pakistan taking two days to complete followed by an India-Sri Lanka game the very next day, expect Rohit and co to have a few changes. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma could all be in the reckoning to slot into the XI. Iyer and Varma batted the longest in the nets sessions, with the former's fitness looking good for a return to the side. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah may be rested to maintain their workloads. The toss-up between Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur will be made depending on conditions. Mohammed Shami is likely to get a game in place of Bumrah.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Tilak Varma/Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh: It's a difficult scenario for them, given that they're already out of the tournament and have also had a few key players missing from the start. This is the ideal situation for them to possible rejig their combination altogether. Mohammed Naim's spot could be in danger after the left-hander's inability to convert starts while Mushfiqur Rahim's unavailability could mean a chance for Afif Hossain. Anamul Haque, a surprise inclusion in the tournament, could also get a go for that opening spot in place of Naim while Tanzid Hasan is in the race as well. Mehidy Hasan Miraz will continue to be one of the openers

Probable XI: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammed Naim/Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das(wk), Shakib Al Hasan(c), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch, which also provides some assistance to spinners as the game progresses. However, the weather conditions have been a significant concern throughout the tournament, with rain disrupting all of India's matches so far.

If the weather forecast holds true, the match between India and Bangladesh is likely to be interrupted by rain, adding another layer of complexity to this high-stakes clash.

The final of the Asia Cup 2023 tournament will take place on Sunday, September 17, at the same venue. As cricket fans around the world eagerly await these matches, all eyes will be on the skies above Colombo, hoping for clear weather to allow for uninterrupted play.

India have had a satisfactory campaign thus far. Their middle order was under pressure against Pakistan in the tournament opener and although that game was a no result, the recovery would have pleased the management.

Similarly, the bowling unit's efforts in defending an under-par score last game was another tick in the box. The wins have all been convincing, although there are minor areas to work on, something that skipper Rohit Sharma also agreed on during his post-match interactions. Overall, India seems to be riding on some much-needed momentum at the moment.

India vs Bangladesh head-to-head record in Asia Cup ODIs

India and Bangladesh have clashed horns in 39 ODI matches against each other.

In those games, the Men in Blue have been victorious on 31 occasions, while Bangladesh have recorded only seven wins. One ODI in 2014 ended in a no-result.

The two teams played their first ODI against each other way back in 1988, but it took 16 years for Bangladesh to beat their Asian opponents for the first time.

Similar to the overall record, India have dominated against Bangladesh in the continental tournament as well.

The two teams have collided with each other 12 times across ODI Asia Cups. India have recorded 11 wins, while Bangladesh have won just once. That win came in 2012 when they emerged victors by a five-wicket margin.

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Ishan Kishan scored an ODI double century in the last IND vs BAN game

The head-to-head record in the last five ODIs between India and Bangladesh currently stands at 3-2 in favour of the former. However, the last ODI series between the two saw Bangladesh defeat India 2-1 at home in December 2022.

Owing to some fabulous all-round performances by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Bangladesh unit clinched the three-match series by winning the first two games. The third game was won by India on the back of a memorable double century by Ishan Kishan

Did you know?

- Taskin Ahmed is Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in 2023 with 21 wickets in 10 innings. He has picked up two or more wickets six times.

- Rohit Sharma's last five innings against Bangladesh in multi-national tournaments read 137, 123*, 83*, 48 and 104.

What they said:

"They (Bangladesh) have been very competitive in the last few years, have played good cricket. They have a good fast bowling group coming through. We have to play to our potential." - Paras Mhambrey, India bowling coach, on their opponents.

The final league game of the tournament is technically a dead rubber. India have already made it to the final while Bangladesh have been eliminated.

Therefore, this fixture serves as a platform for both sides to give their fringe players some game time. Bangladesh in particular haven't named their World Cup squad yet and this could possibly be a final opportunity for those whose spots are hanging by the thread.

In contrast, India have already revealed their 15-man squad but injuries are inevitable with the modern cricketing schedule, so they'd want to ensure that the backups have some time out in the middle.

The players are now starting to arrive at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The Bangladesh team is already on the field, getting into their practice routines. However, there's still no news regarding the Indian team's arrival, although reports suggest that their bus is expected to enter the stadium at approximately 1:45 PM. We're getting closer. Toss is now just an hour away… provided there is no rain of course.