DHAKA: Whatever has happened in the lone test match, Bangladesh is very different in ODI. They are very different team, much better competitor in the shorter version of the game.
Bangladesh can now not only compete well with any team they can beat them. Since the later part of last year they have won most ODI matches. The established senior players consistently played well, all quality youngsters breaking into the team have produced fearless aggressive cricket.
Selectors are in confusion of abundance who to prefer over whom as several players are competing against each other for a place in ODI team. In this situation if the best team is selected Bangladesh may even surprise strong India through winning the three matched ODI series. If that happens, that will confirm Bangladesh for not only playing Champions trophy but also the 2019 World Cup in England.
Whether the teams want or not, the memory of ICC 2015 world cup quarter final match controversies will come back upon. Bangladesh had genuine reasons for feeling deprived. Contrary to standard agreed procedures that particular match did not have spy cam. Even the DRS method was not properly applied. All 50 -50 decisions went in favor of India. No one will ever say that Bangladesh would have won the match against India if all decisions were correctly taken. But definitely Srinivasan championed ICC activities created bad breath.
The weather in mid-June will put all the matches into uncertainty. Rain affected ODIs if played to a certain length are subjected to Duckworth Lewis (D/L) method – a pure gamble. BCCI and BCB knowing fully well are going to play these gambles.
Given the recent forms we would not hesitate to say that the two teams are evenly matched though Indians have more experience. But at the same time India is also the team which with its very strong sides lost ODI matches in important international tournaments like World Cup and Asia Cup Cricket. This Bangladesh team still retains four players -- Tamim, Mashrafe, Mushfiqur and Shakib -- who were in those matches winning Bangladesh team.
Squads
India: MS Dhoni (C), Dhawal Kulkarni, Shikhar Dhawan, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Stuart Binny, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suresh Raina
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Bin Murtaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Litton K Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Rony Talukdar, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
Batting:
Batting of the two teams are comparable with India may be having slight edge. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are both very aggressive batsmen. Rohit is the one player who has two ODI double centuries while Dhawan has just played a very attractive century in the test match just concluded.
Kohli in any form of the game is a very talented batsman and on his own can win matches if not removed early. Rahane, Rayadu and Raina forms formidable middle order. At number seven, no one is better performer than MS Dhoni in world cricket now. Ravindra Jadeja is the costliest IPL player for his all-round exploits. We are not sure whether India will appear with both Jadeja and Ashwin.
The present of several left handed batsmen in Bangladesh squad India may play Ashwin and may not play Stuart Binny. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneswar Kumar may complete the side. They have quality reserve bench with Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny and Axer Patel to fall back upon depending on the wicket. This Indian ODI team on Bangladesh surface will be very strong in batting.
Bangladesh in ODI has very dynamic batting unit. The only issue is the in-form consistent Mahmudullah Riyad is injured. But his replacement Litton K Das or Rony Talukdar are both prolific in-form batsmen in local circuit. Tamim was outstanding against Pakistan. The Indian pace attack on Bangladesh wicket should not cause much worries for dashing Tamim or flamboyant Soumya Sarkar. It is to be seen who fills in the void left behind by Mahmudullah.
Will the selectors play Mominul or introduce Litton or Rony? There is no reason to think Mominul as less competent. But Litton has already impressed as a quality aggressive batsman. Moreover, just recovered Mushfiqur may not be risked with wicket keeping duty. Litton did not look all that bad as wicket keeper in the test. Bangladesh will require majestic Mushfiqur playing magical innings with the bat. Shakib, Sabbir and Nasir make the middle order as dynamic as India.
We would suggest Bangladesh appears with three pacers Mashrafe, Taskin and Rubel. Indian batsmen have genuine weakness against genuine pace. We have seen how they struggled against Australia throughout last summer against Mitchells (Starc and Johnson) and Hazelwood. Batting of the two teams have not much to choose from as Sabbir and Nasir in late middle order are both very talented batsmen.
In ODI Bangladesh possesses better attack than India. Mashrafe Taskin and Rubel combination is better than Yadav and Kumar. The left Arm pacer Mustafiz may give extra diversity if played. Shakib is as good if not better ODI bowler than Jadeja or Ashwin.
Even Arafat Sunny is no mug.
Bangladesh with the inclusion of Sabbir and Nasir will field better than India. India in recent times dropped many catches and appeared sloppy in the field apart from Kohli, Raina and Jadeja.
Mashrafe is as aggressive and inspiring captain as MS Dhoni. Both leads with example and are very demanding.
So, over all the teams are evenly matched. Reputations and past records hardly matters in ODI. The team appearing with their game on the day wins. We can really expect mouthwatering contests if weather permits.
BDST: 1406 HRS, JUN 16, 2015
SR/SMS
