Bangladesh vs. India ODI Series: Preview

Can the Bangla tiger produce some magic or will it be an easy series for India? 

Gone are the times when Bangladesh was always considered to be too precariously placed against giant opponents like India. 

While dust settled down at the one-off test ending in a stalemate, majorly forced due to rain causing a loss of over 250 overs, the focus now shifts to the ODI series of three matches which India are to play on this tour of Bangladesh, and it promises to be nothing short of an exciting clash.

The Bangladeshis made a strong statement in the World Cup after qualifying for the quarters, and to add to their list of achievements in this format, they marched over Pakistan, 3-0 in an ODI series, they hosted recently. They will have enough reasons to ride high on confidence, but the question  ,whether they can rise upto the occasion and match heavy weights of his format, still pertains, which is why this contest is much awaited.

With change in formats, captaincy for India too shifts back to the shoulders of MS Dhoni, as the Men In Blue gear up for the contest, looking to carry their dominance from the recently concluded test into this series. A lot of positives came out from this test match, and going in with a full strength squad India would not have a lot to worry about. Simply applying their strategies, sticking to the basics and not being complacent would pave way for their victory.

MS Dhoni joins the Indian side to lead in the ODI series against Bangladesh.

Taking a glance at the squads, team India have a dauntless batting line up with Dhawan, who looked in great touch in the test along with Rohit Sharma at the top. The likes of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and skipper Dhoni bolster the middle order . With scores of around around 400 being posted at the ongoing England vs New Zealand ODI series, and if the pitch is like a batting paradise as it was at Fathulla this batting line up assures to reach scores of 300-350.

The duo of Ashwin and Harbhajan looked to exploit the conditions well in Test, with the former getting a 5 wicket haul in the spin favourable conditions. Yet again spin seems to be the key with either Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel partnering with Ashwin. Mohit Sharma who had a great run during the World Cup could be the choice for the skipper along with Umesh Yadaav. Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has recently been rare in the playing XI scenes, would be desperate to make a mark and cement his place in the side. 

With quality fielders in their side, the only goal for India would be to tick the boxes in all the three departments, and bring on their A-game, without thinking of the side they are facing. They do not even seem to be taking Bangladesh lightly as Raina was quoted saying, "Bangladesh deserve a full-strength squad."

Rubel Hossain is to lead the pace attack yet again for Bangladesh. 

As for the Bangladesh camp, Rubel Hossain the World Cup star, whose absence in the playing XI of the test squad seemed to come as a surprise, seems to be back in the frame of things. The 25 year old strike bowler for the Bangladeshis, claims to be fully fit after being rested for the test match. Young Taskin has also been named in the 14 man ODI squad, and he would look to drive inspiration from his debut against India two years ago at Mirpur where he took a five-wicket haul as well as his memorable performances at the World Cup. Un capped left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who has only played T20Is for Bangladesh would hope for getting a chance in at least one  of the games.

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza will be expected to lead his team with both the bat and the ball along with Shakib Al Hasan who is one of the best all rounders around the world today. Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das and Mominul Haque  are the ones on whom the Bangladesh batting will bank upon. Litton Das is likely to keep the wickets again in place of Mushfiqur Rahim who has an injured finger. Nasir Hossain along with Arafat Sunny form the spin core of the team which is expected to play an influential role.

While that briefly sums up the squads for both the camps, it will be the first time the Indian team puts on the coloured jersey in the World Cup. As rain had played a spoil sport in the test match a reserve day is kept for each of the three matches. The Bangladesh team would be expected to be backed by passionate fans as well as an element of home advantage. Can the rising stars flip the apparent impossibility of outdoing the stars? Such questions remain to be answered until 18th June when the first match of the series kicks off.