In the highly anticipated 17th match of the ICC World Cup 2023, India and Bangladesh are all set to clash at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
This encounter marks the fourth match for both teams in this World Cup, and it’s a crucial one, particularly for the Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma, as they aim for their fourth consecutive victory.
So far in the tournament, India has showcased impeccable form, securing victories against Australia, Afghanistan, and arch-rivals Pakistan. These wins have catapulted them to the top position in the points table. With the memory of Bangladesh’s surprising victory over India in the 2007 ODI World Cup, which led to India’s group-stage exit, still fresh, the Indian team is certainly not taking this match lightly.
In the history of ODI cricket, India and Bangladesh have crossed paths 40 times, with India emerging victorious in 31 of those matches. On the other hand, the team captained by Shakib Al Hasan has managed to clinch eight victories, and one encounter in 2014 ended without a result. Despite India’s statistical dominance, the Bangladesh team has shown remarkable improvement in recent years, offering stiff competition to their Indian counterparts.
The two teams last faced each other in a high-stakes Asia Cup match in 2023, where Bangladesh managed to secure a win. Additionally, in December of the previous year, Bangladesh defeated India 2-1 in a three-match ODI series, indicating their growing prowess in the format.
In the context of ODI World Cup history, India holds the upper hand against Bangladesh. The first World Cup encounter between these two teams in 2007 ended in a shock victory for Bangladesh, but in their most recent three World Cup matches, India has emerged victorious. Their last World Cup clash occurred in 2019, with Rohit Sharma delivering a scintillating century that led India to a 28-run victory.
Bangladesh began their current World Cup campaign with a win against Afghanistan, but they faced subsequent defeats against England and New Zealand. There has been concern regarding Shakib Al Hasan’s fitness due to injury, but there is optimism that he will recover in time for the crucial match against India. In an exclusive interview on the Dafa News Cricket Show, former Zimbabwean cricketer Christopher Mpofu expressed his insights. He highlighted Rohit Sharma’s remarkable performances in the previous two matches, scoring 86 against Pakistan and 131 against Afghanistan. These innings played a pivotal role in India’s successful chases. He also emphasized the significance of young opener Shubman Gill, who has displayed impressive form in ODIs this year.
Mpofu further commented on Virat Kohli›s contributions, acknowledging his half-centuries against Australia (85) and Afghanistan (55 not out). Shreyas Iyer›s unbeaten half-century against Pakistan has bolstered India›s batting. If the pitch supports the batsmen, it›s anticipated to be a formidable challenge for any bowling attack to contain the Indian team.
It›s worth noting that India has won four out of seven matches played at this venue, making it imperative for the team to exercise caution in this crucial fixture. Cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating this India-Bangladesh clash, which promises to be a thrilling spectacle.