In the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, cricket enthusiasts are in for an exciting showdown as India and Bangladesh lock horns in the 12th match of the tournament at the R Premdasa Stadium in Colombo. The clash, though dubbed as a mere formality, promises to deliver intriguing moments as India has already secured a spot in the 2023 Asia Cup Final.
With two commanding victories in their Super 4 clashes, India finds itself in prime form. They thumped arch-rivals Pakistan with a staggering 228-run win and overcame Sri Lanka by 41 runs. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has been eliminated from contention after losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage, with their sole victory coming against Afghanistan. India has been a dominant force in the tournament, barring a minor hiccup in their first match against Pakistan when their top-order batting faltered. Since then, they have displayed their prowess, with both the batting and bowling departments firing on all cylinders. India’s top-order has been consistently racking up runs, and their bowlers have been in splendid form.
Heading into the clash against Bangladesh, India is the clear favorite. However, with the final already in the bag, fans can anticipate some changes to the playing XI as the team management aims to provide valuable game time to other players. Moreover, with Mushfiqur unavailable for Bangladesh, the challenge becomes even more daunting for the Tigers. In stark contrast to India, Bangladesh has had a dismal campaign. Apart from a win against Afghanistan in the group stage, they have failed to meet expectations. Their most recent defeat to Sri Lanka by 21 runs further dashed their hopes of progressing in the tournament. Bangladesh will look to Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who have been consistent with the bat, to deliver at the top. Meanwhile, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will aim to challenge India’s formidable top order with the ball.
Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be crucial in controlling India’s scoring rate. Despite being out of contention for the summit clash, Bangladesh still carries the ambition to finish the tournament on a high note. A victory against India would provide a significant morale boost ahead of future challenges, including the World Cup.
For India, this match presents an opportunity to rotate the squad and keep the players fresh for the final on Sunday. Mohammad Shami is expected to return to the playing XI, with Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel vying for a spot depending on the pitch conditions. There’s also the possibility of resting Jasprit Bumrah. With Shreyas Iyer still unfit, Suryakumar Yadav may seize a rare opportunity in the line-up.
In ODI encounters, India has been overwhelmingly dominant against Bangladesh, winning 31 out of 40 matches. Bangladesh managed just seven victories, with two games ending without a result. In Asia Cup matches, India has a staggering 13 wins out of 14 games against Bangladesh, underlining their historical supremacy.
The R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium has provided a favorable pitch for batsmen throughout the tournament. However, patience remains key on such surfaces, as batsmen must settle in before launching their attacks. Thus, opting to bat first could be a wise decision, with the prospect of setting a formidable total firmly on the table. As cricket fans eagerly await this high-stakes encounter, all eyes will be on how the two teams perform in their final showdown of the Asia Cup 2023. With India already securing a place in the final, Bangladesh will aim to restore some pride with a spirited performance. Cricket aficionados can expect a thrilling contest at the R Premdasa Stadium.
Sunil Yash Kalra is a Women’s Cricket Historian and founder of Indian Sports Fans.