Tricky tigers next

On paper, India is overwhelming favourite against Bangladesh but in a game of glorious uncertainties, it will be foolhardy to count Bangladesh out of equation. 

Especially after its inspirational ‘come from behind’ victory against New Zealand that paved the way for its semi-final berth. India, after a clinical performance against South Africa, would like to maintain the same intensity against a team that could prove to be a tricky opponent. 

Batsmen in form, bowlers on target and fielding top notch-- Virat Kohli’s men have covered all bases so far and Mashrafe Mortaza’s men -- after their lucky entry into semi-final -- will have to pull off something really special at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Thursday. 

For India, nothing short of a place in the summit round will satisfy them while Bangladesh are standing at the cusp of what could be the biggest day in their cricketing history, if they manage to pull off a victory. 

A victory for India will be par for the course for which it won’t possibly get the credit that one gets for beating Australia, South Africa or England. But a defeat will lead to unparalleled criticism from fans and critics alike. In the case of Bangladesh, its aim will be to repeat the performance of the 2007 World Cup of opener in Port of Spain. 

Four members of that side -- skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal -- are stars of this current line-up. The one-run defeat at Bangalore in a ICC World T20 match last year still hurts it -- a testimony to which was Mushfiqur Rahim’s classless tweet after India’s semi-final departure.  

The former skipper had to delete it after instructions from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Just man to man -- Bangladesh is no match for the Indian team despite having quality in its ranks. The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are far better than Tamim Iqbal or Soumya Sarkar.

However, Tamim has been in good form in the tournament despite a strikerate in mid 70s. Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are legends in 50-overs cricket where Mushfiqur Rahim is still an inconsistent player. Mahmudullah Riyadh is a gutsy match-winner but Yuvraj Singh playing his 300th match is in a different league.