Exciting Tri-Series Preview: Bangladesh Take on India

Batsman faces bowler in front of packed cordon

Dive into our preview of the thrilling Tri-Series showdown between Bangladesh and India, kicking off on Wednesday 14 March at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

A loss for Bangladesh will put immense pressure on them as they head into a crucial must-win game against Sri Lanka on Friday. Meanwhile, a win for India will guarantee their spot in the final match on Sunday.

The Tigers are buzzing with confidence following a historic win against Sri Lanka last week. On the other hand, India cruised through their recent match against the islanders without much trouble.

Bangladesh vs India | Wednesday, 14 March | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 15:30

Match Winner Odds

Bangladesh 21/10

Tie 35/1

India 4/11

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh may stick to what’s working but could take a leaf out of India and Sri Lanka’s book by opening with a spinner. Players like Nazmul Islam could replicate the success spinners Washington Sundar and Akila Dananjaya have recently found.

Without the experienced Shakib Al Hasan due to injury, the onus is on seasoned players like Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to lead the charge alongside the fresh talent.

The batsmen must find a way to counter India’s revamped pace attack, particularly the promising duo Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat, stepping up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The toss will be a key factor; so far every match in this series has been won by the team batting second. The pitch at R Premadasa Stadium is known for favouring chases, so a deep innings anchored by players like Tamim Iqbal will be crucial.

India:

India hasn’t had to chase a target above 153 yet this month, and their batsmen admit they haven’t faced a real test. The decision to rest stars like Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni has paid off with the new lineup showing great skill and patience.

Players such as Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey impressed in the previous match with their composure, helping India bounce back from an earlier defeat to Sri Lanka.

India is already looking ahead to the final, experimenting with combinations to settle on the ideal XI for the big day. Conditions are expected to remain the same, so Wednesday’s game will be pivotal in finalising their squad.

Weather might again play spoilsport, as rain that interrupted Monday’s match is forecast to return. If innings are shortened, Bangladesh might find more opportunities, but this will depend on who bats or bowls first.

Our Verdict: India 4/11 (Forecast Odds)

Bangladesh faces a tough battle to pull off a second upset in a row, making India the strong favourites to secure their spot in the Sunday final and patiently await their opponent.