Daijiworld Media Network
Dhaka, Mar 16 : sachin Tendulkar scored started his innings against Bangadesh confidently and completed his fifty here at Asia Cup 2012 cricketon Friday, March 16.
India are sailing well with 107/1 with Gambhir already back in pavillion, Kohli is playing with 26
Fan Face-off :
Karthik (supporting India) and Shashreek (supporting Bangladesh) reason out why they believe their team will win.
Shashreek: India's overseas form has been appalling in recent times. Although the game is in the sub-continent, it is still a tournament on foreign soil for India. Do you think 'the men in blue' can recover from their slump in form and take on a side that has sprung a surprise or two in the past? I certainly don't!
Karthik: You certainly don't? I guess you conveniently ignored India's last 2 games - both against Sri Lanka. Everyone knows India are easily the best side in the world when it comes to playing in the sub-continent, and they showed exactly that in their Asia Cup opening match. Even the game in Hobart was played on a pitch that resembled a sub-continent track and everyone saw what happened there. Bangladesh can still spring up a surprise or two, but the answer to your question lies in your question itself - a Bangladesh victory will always be a 'surprise'.
Shashreek: When one thinks of Bangladesh vs India all that comes to mind is the 2007 World Cup when the Bangla Tigers led to the Indians being ousted from the tournament. One man who stood out in that clash was Tamim Iqbal and he is Bangladesh's man in form again. I'm sure that sends a few shivers down your spine, does it not?
Karthik: Well, the only thing that comes to my mind when I think of Bangladesh vs India is the 2011 World Cup when Sehwag absolutely demolished the Banglas. Yes, Tamim Iqbal may be in form now, Sehwag may not be there in the Indian side, but neither of that will be a cause of concern for the Indians.
Shashreek: India seem to have a lot of non performers hanging around in the playing eleven. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja haven't done anything of substance in the opportunities given to them. Do you think it is time for a few changes, or are you scared that the replacements might be weaker than the non performers?
Karthik: Ravindra Jadeja is always the guy to bear the brunt of the fans' anger, and not all of it is justified. He may have had a poor tour of Australia, but one should not forget that the Asia Cup is being played in Bangladesh. Have a look at Jadeja's performances against England and West Indies last year, and you will know why Dhoni persists with him in the team. Having said that, the Bangladesh game might be the best opportunity for India to test their bench. The likes of Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan certainly deserve a game and they could be drafted in to the team. But, knowing Dhoni, I won't be surprised if the Indian team remains unchanged!
Karthik: Bangladesh are playing ODI cricket for more than a decade. They are playing at home. But still, they are considered minnows and are not even considered as a potential team. Your thoughts if any at all?
Shashreek: In the decade that has gone by Bangladesh has defeated teams like South Africa and India at the highest level, that being the World Cup. Bangladesh has also churned out talents like Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal and possibly the best all rounder in the One Day format as of now- Shakib Al Hasan. Calling them minnows and looking at them as pushovers will only prove to be a disastrous mistake, much like it did in 2007 for India.
Karthik: Isn't the attack one dimensional? A couple of medium pacers and a couple of left arm spinners. This surely will not worry the Indian batting line up?
Shashreek: If the Indian bowling line up, comprising of a couple of medium pacers who bowl within the 130 mark and a couple of part timers can trouble an opposition, then Bangladesh's surely can do the same if not better. Besides with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja already looking so worried in the middle order, Bangladesh will not have to do too much to rattle their feathers. Sachin Tendulkar will be eager to get that 100th 100 off his mind and there comes the opportunity for Bangladesh to really pile on the pressure right from the top.
Karthik: The batting hasn't shown any signs of improvement. Some batsmen get starts, but they are still too heavily dependent on Shakib Al Hasan and the others fail to finish games under pressure.
Shashreek: Sure Bangladesh didn't finish off the last game but their batting certainly looks to have some positives. Tamim Iqbal played very well under pressure to score a half century and Shakib Al Hasan too looked in good touch. Bangladesh have more than just Shakib though and India will have to plan for more than just him otherwise they might find themselves on the receiving end!
Karthik: Well, you seem to have a lot of confidence in this Bangladesh team. Let's see if they can upset India.
Shashreek: It will no longer