India who lost their last game against Bangladesh in the last edition of World Cup will search for the revenge when they take on them in front of their supportive home crowd. Bangladesh ensured India's early exit in the first round of the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is determined to avoid any repeat on the subcontinent.
This time M.S.Dhoni team is much different than it was in 2007 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid or we can say the Greg Chappel who divided the team in more than two parts which resulted in an early exit from the tournament. However, this time around the teams look more solid and eager to win than before.
The batting demolition of New Zealand in Chennai followed a 38-run victory over three-time defending champion Australia on Sunday in Bangalore, achieved thanks to a superb effort from spinners Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh.
The pace attack led by Zaheer Khan may have to concede the bulk of the work to the slow bowlers, with several part-time options also at India's disposal, while there is a problem of plenty in the batting department.
Indian batting order will much depend on the start given by likes of Sachin, Sehwag, Kohli and Gambhir. If any two of them able to build the Indian inning in the middle overs by keeping wicket in hand then Dhoni, Yuvraj and Pathan can blast any attack out of the park.
Indian team who is carrying the hopes of billion on their shoulder needs to perform as per their potential to make the hopes of billions count in their opening game against Bangladesh.
Pitch & Conditions
The Pitch at Mirpur is likely to get support spinners and will also provide some help to the fat bowlers. Team winning the toss is likely to bat first and put runs in excess of 275 on the board to put pressure on the opposition.
Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 14:00 PM India Time)
Bangladesh who heavily relies on spin is likely to go with two pace bowlers and three pace attacks with additional spinning all-rounder in their squad. So far they have done great with the help of their spinning options and they know to beat India in their back yard they need something special from their bowling attacks.
On the other hand India have already decided on the playing XI with Virat Kohli is in prime form they are likely to go with him that means Suresh Raina will heat the bench against the much awaited World Cup inaugural game. In the bowling department Zaheer Khan is likely to lead the pace attack along with Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel with Harbhajan Singh leading the spin department along with spinning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan.
India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni (Captain & WK), Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.
