Asia Cup: India face confident Bangladesh as they aim for another step toward the final

Dubai — Dubai is set to host another thrilling Super Fours clash in the Asia Cup as India take on Bangladesh.

Riding high on a commanding win over Pakistan, India captain Suryakumar Yadav confidently dismissed talk of rivalry. “Where is the rivalry?” he asked, pointing to India’s dominant record in recent years. Since the start of 2024, India have won 32 of 35 T20Is, establishing themselves as one of the most formidable sides in the format.

Bangladesh arrive with quiet confidence after a stunning victory over Sri Lanka in the opening round. Pacers Mahedi Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman bowled with precision on the slow Dubai pitch, taking 5 wickets for 45 runs and choking Sri Lanka’s middle order. Now, the challenge is replicating that performance against India, against whom they have lost 16 of 17 T20Is. Yet, the slow pitch and scorching Dubai heat could offer them an edge.

India’s top order looks solid. Abhishek Sharma’s 74 against Pakistan highlighted his explosive partnership with Shubman Gill. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav provide further stability, while Sanju Samson’s role in the middle order continues to be fine-tuned. Facing Mustafizur’s clever variations on slow surfaces will be a key test for him.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das is expected to be fit despite a minor back strain. The team is also evaluating whether to persist with Shoriful Islam, who was expensive against Sri Lanka, or bring in Tanzim Hasan. Their spinners and cutters will need to be at their best to disrupt India’s rhythm through the middle overs.

The Dubai conditions promise a slow-paced, challenging contest, with high temperatures testing stamina and concentration. While India remain statistical favourites, Bangladesh know one inspired performance could change the course of the game.

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma.

Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin.

With inputs from IANS