ICC World Cup 2019 | Bangladesh's predicted XI for their match against India

ByAnirudh Suresh, SportsCafe Editor

07/01/2019

With England beating India, the Tigers now have no option but to win their last two games to stand a chance to qualify for the semi-final. Having last played a match on June 24, the Tigers would be roaring to go against an Indian side which is fresh off a loss against an inspired English team.

Openers

Tamim Iqbal: Averaging just 34.16 with a solitary fifty, this has been a rather disappointing campaign for Tamim Iqbal so far. In what's more concerning, his strike rate has been a mere 74.27. Being one of the more senior members of the team, Tamim has not quite lived up to his standards. However, he has struck two fifties in three World Cup knocks against India - including the famous one in 2007 where he took Zaheer Khan apart. Tamim would definitely take inspiration from this and try to repeat his heroics against a very strong Indian attack.

Litton Das: After playing two innings at No.5, Das was sent in to open against Afghanistan, a move that didn't quite come off. But cast your minds back to the Asia Cup Final in 2018, where Das struck an emphatic century against India, opening the innings. Adding to this, Das opened the batting against India in the warm-up match in the build-up to the World Cup and struck a fluent 73. Whether the move to open with him against Afghanistan was tactical is up for debate, but there is every reason for Bangladesh to open with Litton Das against India.

Middle-Order

Shakib Al Hasan: 75, 64, 121, 124*, 41 and 51. These are the numbers put up by Shakib with the bat in this World Cup so far. Yes, you read that right. Not only has he put up ridiculous numbers with the bat, but also has been Bangladesh's joint highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets. However, in 16 ODI innings, Shakib is yet to register a century against India. There would be no better time for Shakib to get that monkey off the back, with the Tigers hunting a place in the semis.

Mushfiqur Rahim:Such has been Shakib's impact in this World Cup so far, that Rahim's performances have completely gone under the radar. Having posted scores of 83 and 102* in his last two innings, Rahim will be coming into the match with full of confidence. But unlike Shakib, Rahim registered a century against India back in 2014, and would certainly love to replicate that very knock in their encounter on Tuesday.

Soumya Sarkar: With 111 runs in six innings, Sarkar has had a shocking run with the bat in this World Cup so far. After batting alongside Tamim at the top for five innings, Sarkar was moved to No.5 in the last match, but to no avail. The southpaw managed to score just three runs, further adding to his frustration. Having moved to the middle order and with both Mithun and Sabbir Rahman lurking in the sidelines, it might be time for Sarkar to come up with the goods.

Mahmudullah: Nursing a shoulder injury which ruled him out from bowling heading into the World Cup, Mahmudullah was given the role of a specialist batsman, the role of a finisher to be precise. And to be fair, Mahmudullah has not fared too bad, showing glimpses of what he is capable of, against both Australia and South Africa. Mahmudullah would certainly have his task cut out against an in-form Bumrah, and he would definitely need to be at his very best to tackle Bumrah's vicious yorkers and slower balls.

All-Rounder

Mosaddek Hossain: Having had little to do with the bat so far, Mosaddek has primarily served as a bowling all-rounder, delivering what the team has asked of him - to keep the runs tight and getting occasional wickets. But make no mistake, with a strike rate of 119 in this World Cup so far, Mosaddek has also showcased his power-hitting prowess, with his 24-ball 35 serving as a testament for it. Should the situation demand him to do something out of the ordinary, Bangladesh would definitely be banking on him to produce the goods.

Spinner

Mehidy Hasan: With just five wickets in six innings in this World Cup so far, Mehidy Hasan has not quite lived up to his expectations. To add to this, Mehidy has not taken an ODI wicket against India in two attempts, something which he'll be looking to change on Tuesday. But with Afghanistan possibly exposing a slight weakness of the Indian middle-order against spin, the offie would need to be at his best for his side to challenge the mighty Indian team.

Pacers

Mohammad Saifuddin: Be it upfront or at the death, Saifuddin has been a class apart from the rest of the Bangladesh pacers in this World Cup so far. His 10 wickets speak for themselves, notably pulling it back with his crucial spell at the death against the Windies. Bangladesh missed his presence in the match against Australia when they conceded a whopping 381. Coming up against the likes of Rohit and Kohli upfront and Pandya and Dhoni towards the end, Saifuddin will have his work cut out on Tuesday.

Mashrafe Mortaza: With just a solitary wicket in six innings, Mortaza has been a mere passenger with the ball in this Bangladesh team. However, with his smart captaincy, Mortaza has proved to be a valuable asset. With the cries to drop Mortaza getting louder and louder, the Bangladesh skipper might not have too much time in his hands and would need to deliver with the ball sooner rather than later.

Mustafizur Rahman: As a 19-year-old, Mustafizur Rahman broke into the international scene grabbing two five-fers in as many matches against India. Thanks to his performances in the IPL, every Indian player and fan knows what he's capable of. Despite having an ordinary year with the ball in 2018, Rahman has started to look sharper with every passing match in this World Cup and will be a key figure when the Tigers take on Virat Kohli's men on Tuesday.