DHAKA: With less than a day for the commencement of much awaited Bangladesh-India ODI series it may be interesting to check what is cooking in Bengal Tigers’ kitchen. We understand every member of the tiger squad is gearing to have a go after their heart sore from the last match they met at MCG in Melbourne. They have a mission to prove or disprove. They have to settle a score through playing to their potential proving a point that their performance in the world cup was not a flash in the pan.
 

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the cheer leader is on the verge of recovery from the accident he sustained while riding a rickshaw from home to practice couple of weeks back. The injury on the palm of his bowling right hand has not healed completely. Yet he can bowl though he cannot hold the bat with comfort. Mash is a person who cannot be won over by injury. Rather he braves injury. Knowing him a bit and following his embattled career although can assure all that it is not easy at all holding him back from national duty. He is a person who won’t hesitate to die his death for the national cause. His mere presence in the field enlivens his charge. It is expected that Mashrafe will play and lead his team from the front.

Mushfiqur Rahim, the majestic little master of Bangladesh cricket, has reportedly recovered from finger injury to a level that he can keep wickets comfortably now. If Bangladesh has to compete well against strong India it is not his keeping but it will be his free flowing resourceful willow that has to yield. The absence of reliable Mahmudullah Riyad has already created a gaping hole in the top order for which a less strained more relaxed Mushfiqur is essential. Moreover, the debutant Liton K Das in his baptism impressed one and all with his keeping and batting. Mushfiqur should better play as batsman giving Liton an opportunity to play his first ODI.
 
But the team think tank has to ponder deep. Mahamudullah did not only kept the innings together batting at top order he was also a calming influence on the natural stroke makers with his excellent defense. With Mominul Haque in the squad that responsibility may be better served. We do not agree that Mominul cannot adjust to the demand of the situation. If both Mominul and Liton have to play Bangladesh will have to choose one from Shabbir and Nasir at late middle order which again will be a tough call. Both are aggressive batsmen and good finisher. Both of them are great athletes and smart fielders.

We are not sure about full recovery of speedster Rubel Hossain. A full fit Rubel Hossain pairing with youngster Taskin Ahmed can really put even quality Indian batting to test. Can Bangladesh think about playing four pacers giving teenager left arm pacer Mustafiz his first opportunity in ODI. That will depend off course on the state of the wicket. But the first ODI is most important. Bangladesh should rather not make experiment.
 
We suggest that Terrific Tamim opens with sizzling Soumya Sarkar. Bangladesh looks a different team when Tamim is in his true element. His explosive innings at the top always takes the fight to the opponent’s camp. Opposition has to appear with plan B. Dhoni may opt to counter with his tramp card against left handed batsmen introducing Ravi Ashwin early into the attack as both Tamim and Soumya love to play over the top early on. While they play their normal game they should be a bit more careful as Bangladesh will need a solid platform to build on.

Choosing one from Mominul and Liton for number three is a very hard choice. My heart goes for Mominul but head for Liton .We would suggest going for Liton in the first ODI as Mushfique batting a bit freely as first match is very important. It will lead the course of the series. Liton should keep wickets and bat. Liton must be allowed to bat at number three or four depending on the position Mushfiqur bats. He has shown his skills and range of stokes play. His confidence was also oozing. Possibly a bit of nerves was also working. But, he was impressive.

Mushfiqur is the premiere batsman of the team. He featured prominently in all Bangladesh win against India in the past. For different reasons his bat did not talk in his sweet merry ways for the last few matches. But he is too good a batsman not to recover his golden touch too soon. Actually he is the nucleus of Bangladesh batting around which the batting will rotate. A solid platform will let Shakib, Shabbir and Nasir launching attack to take Bangladesh to a zone of assurance. Shakib can dominate well when he can bat in his natural attacking way. Shabbir and Nasir can quickly off the blocks. Bangladesh can do with seven batsmen and definitely go with five bowlers including Shakib. Nasir and Soumya can fill in as and when required. Mashrafee may not bat at his usual number eight but does not matter. Rubel, Arafat Sunny, Taskin can cover up for him. Bangladesh should bat well against this Indian attack and if the matches are not interfered by inclement weather we find no reason why 300 plus score is not achieved.

For bowling combination a decision needs to be made through correctly judging the type and nature of the wicket. Usually ODI wickets are batting friendly. But we hope there would be something left for the pacers.  With Mashrafee, Rubel and Taskin available, the pace attack has definite edge over Yadav and Kumar. Let Bangladesh take advantage of this. If this very strong Indian batting has any chink in the arm, that is weakness against genuine pace. That has been seen time and again in Australia last summer. Risking easy paced wicket against likes of Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Rahani, Dhawan, Rina and Dhoni may prove counterproductive. We are not very sure that Arafat Sunny will be effective against Indian middle order that plays better quality spinners too often. We think selectors should also think about four pacers option as well. Mustafiz swings the ball well and as a left arm pacer he has added advantage. It will depend whether that teenager can be risked in the very important first ODI.
Considering all above we would suggest the following team for the first ODI tomorrow 18 June.

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar , Liton K Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan , Shabbir Rahman , Nasir Hussain, Arafat Sunny Mustafiz, Rubel Hossain, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza and Taskin Ahmed.

In a three matches ODI against two evenly matched team winning the first is always the key. Moreover, in this certain weather of even possibility of rain interference team winning the FIRST ODI will have every chance of grabbing the series. Bangladesh only needs one win out of three. But that must not be the only vision. Tigers must prove that they are impregnable in their own den.

** Battle Royal Expected

BDST: 0937 HRS, JUN 17, 2015
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