New Delhi: With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 on the horizon, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Rahul Chahar and Deepak Chahar will all look to make a lasting impression if India give them a chance against Bangladesh, starting with the first T20I here at Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday.
The biggest challenge for Bangladesh will be to cope without Shakib Al Hasan, one of the leading all-rounders of the game, who has been suspended after accepting charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
The visitors fared reasonably well in their last assignment, winning three of their four completed matches in the home tri-series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Shakib was the captain during that series, and it is Mahmudullah, who has now been given the responsibility.
Bangladesh will hope their seniors can find form. All of Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman will need to lead the way in a tricky series against the mighty Indians.
India, captained by Rohit Sharma in absence of the rested Virat Kohli, are set to field a young side as they look to blood fresh talent for the premier T20 event next year in Australia.
It will be particularly interesting to watch Shivam Dube, if he is given the chance. The Mumbai all-rounder has been earmarked for success in the shortest format, and will be desperate to live up to the billing.
India and Bangladesh last met in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. India won by 28 runs after posting 314/9, powered by Rohit’s 92-ball 104. In T20Is, the sides last met in the Nidahas Tri-Series final in Colombo in 2018, when a late blitz from Dinesh Karthik earned a heist for India off the last ball. Bangladesh have come close to beating India a few times, but have lost each of the eight fixtures against them.
India captain Rohit Sharma said, “One or 100 matches, it is an honour. When we were growing up, it was all about playing for the country. I have captained the team and the experience has been good, and I don’t think about for how long I should be made captain.”
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said, “Shakib’s absence will work as motivation for us. I think there’s no greater honour than playing for the country. The responsibility to lead the side lies with me, so I will try to give it my all.”
The smog in Delhi might make visibility a factor, and even pose other difficulties. The temperature is expected to hover around 30 degrees, and dew could be a factor. (UNI)
