Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final: 5 Reasons Bangladesh Can Shock India
Can Bangladesh pull off a shock win in Thursday's Cricket World Cup quarter-final against defending champions India?
The form book would suggest not. India go into the clash in Melbourne on the back of six successive wins in the group stage. Led by a resurgent Shikhar Dhawan and ably supported by Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, India's strong batting has delivered as expected.
More impressive have been the performances of the quick bowlers. Only Mitchell Starc has taken more wickets than Mohammed Shami. Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma have bowled with both pace and control. Throw in Ravichandran Ashwin's spin and MS Dhoni's side are looking very dangerous.
India won't have it all their own way against a Bangladesh side that has grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed, though.
Mashrafe Mortaza's side go into the quarter-final as massive underdogs. Here are five reasons why they could cause one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
Stats courtesy of ESPNcricinfo.com.
1. They're Full of Confidence
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After beating England it could have easily been a case of “after the Lord Mayor's show” for Bangladesh.
They showed that their surprise victory was no fluke by putting in another excellent performance against New Zealand.
The Bangladeshis couldn't quite get over the line but gave the Black Caps a serious fright, eventually succumbing by just three wickets in Hamilton.
If they can go toe-to-toe with Pool A's only unbeaten side, why not the equivalent from Pool B?
2. The Batsmen are in Excellent Touch
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Few would have expected a Bangladeshi batsman to feature among the top-five run-scorers after the group stage. Especially one who had only five rather than six innings to his name.
The hugely impressive Mahmudullah managed just that, scoring 344 runs at an average of 86.00. The 29-year-old is only the second Bangladeshi batsman to score back-to-back ODI centuries after his heroics against England and New Zealand.
Mushfiqur Rahim with three 50s and Shakib Al Hasan with two are also in excellent touch.
Tamim Iqbal hasn't really fired in the tournament, passing 50 just once against Scotland but remains highly dangerous.
If just one of them gets going, Bangladesh could cause a shock.
3. India Haven't Been Tested Yet
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India coasted to their unbeaten record in the group stage. Their narrowest margin of victory when batting first was 76 runs. When chasing it was four wickets.
MS Dhoni's side have plenty of experience, of course, but a tight finish wouldn't have gone amiss just to sharpen things up.
A huge attendance is expected at the MCG with the vast majority supporting the team in blue. If Bangladesh can quieten what promises to be a highly partisan crowd, any jitters from the stands could work their way onto the middle.
As coach Chandika Hathurusingha said in a press conference earlier this week, per Australia's Daily Telegraph, “The team that enjoys the pressure more will have a better game.”
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4. They Won't be Overawed
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With just three wins in 29 ODIs against India, Bangladesh could easily have an inferiority complex in relation to their more illustrious neighbours.
The 2015 vintage don't look like being overawed, though. Shakib Al Hasan is one of a number of Bangladeshis to have played in the Indian Premier League. They'll certainly respect India's superstars, but they won't fear them.
As Chandika Hathurusingha told a pre-match press conference, per The Hindu, “We have nothing to prove to anyone because we know that we are good. And that’s precisely the reason we are here. The key to beating an established side, on a day, is that we have to play to our potential. If the established side does not measure up, we can beat them."
"Work as a team, fight as a team! More photos: http://t.co/Rnz1M4TUYZ #riseofthetigers #CWC15 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/9S1Ro9jLve
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 17, 2015"
5. They've Nothing to Lose
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Bangladesh have already exceeded the expectations of pundits the world over by reaching the quarter-final.
By condemning England to a humiliating early exit, Mashrafe Mortaza's side go into the quarter-final playing with house money.
Nobody expects them to defeat the defending champions so they can play with freedom. That applies particularly to fast bowler Rubel Hossain who has gone from jail to World Cup star in the space of two months.
Speaking in a press conference, per Yahoo.com, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan recalled Bangladesh's famous victory over India at the 2007 World Cup. “I think we played fearless cricket (in 2007) and we all want to play that brand of cricket. And, so far in this World Cup, I think we're doing it. If we do exactly what we did against England or New Zealand, I think we'll have a very good game.”
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