India aim to secure a spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (CWC23) semi-finals as they face Bangladesh at Pune’s MCA International Stadium on October 19, 2023.
Despite a shaky start in their World Cup opener against Australia, India has maintained a strong grip on the tournament. A solid partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped them recover from a challenging second innings.
Three Indian batsmen boast averages exceeding 70, while four bowlers have consistently taken wickets at less than 25 runs each. With six points from three convincing wins, India is emerging as a top contender in the World Cup.
However, the competition has shown that any team can emerge victorious on their day. England fell to Afghanistan, and South Africa was stunned by the Netherlands in recent matches.
Bangladesh, following an initial World Cup victory, has faced consecutive heavy defeats. In both losses, their opponents gained early advantages, forcing Bangladesh to play catch-up.
Led by Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh remains confident in their ability to surprise India. They have several experienced players, including some who have previously triumphed against India.
With all-round options like Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib, and Mahmudullah, Bangladesh’s lineup gains stability. Their pace attack can prove effective, particularly if conditions are favorable. Furthermore, they draw inspiration from their recent victory over India in the Super Four stage of the 2023 Asia Cup.
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