ICC World T20 2016: India vs Bangladesh - 5 key battles

India vs Bangladesh match in this T20 World Cup holds great importance to the Indian setup.A win here will keep their chances high for qualifying in the semifinals while an upset by Bangladesh can throw them out of the tournament.It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Bangladesh is the most improved limited overs side in the last few years.Earlier Bangladeshi fans were content with a win in a blue moon while now Bangladesh qualifying in the Asia Cup finals wasn’t a big surprize for many.Though India is in good form but a loss against New Zealand has ensured that every match they play in the tournament thereon remains a knockout.So in such a pressure game let’s see what will be the 5 key battles that can decide the course of the game:-

#1 Rohit Sharma vs Al Amin Hossain

Rohit will be key player for India

When all the limelight has been focussed on Mustafizur, one player that has stood out in the Bangladeshi bowling camp is Al Amin Hossain.He has consistently provided brilliant starts to his team and the early breakthroughs he provides play a big part in Bangladesh grabbing the momentum from start.

India relies heavily on its top order in the T20 format and one of the main pillars of this top order is Rohit Sharma.When he finds form in a T20 match, he can make a mockery of the opposition bowling.

If Rohit provides India a good start then they will be unstoppable in the match and Bangladesh will rely heavily on Al Amin to provide them the early breakthrough of Rohit Sharma’s wicket and halt India’s progress in the game.Al Amin vs Rohit will be a key battle in the match and might play a big part in deciding the course of the game.

#2 Indian spinners vs Bangladesh middle order

Can Jadeja and Ashwin rattle Bangladesh’s middle order

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the backbone of Indian bowling and they will have an important role to play in the match against Bangladesh.There are chances that Tamim Iqbal might not play the match against India and in that case there will be huge pressure on the Bangladeshi middle order to perform.

Ashwin and Jadeja will have a challenge on hand against the likes of Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah.Bangladesh are a much improved batting unit in the last few years and their middle order has played a big part in this resurgence.

Chinnaswamy stadium can offer some help to the spinners and Indian spinners can run through the Bangladesh middle order which can limit Bangladesh’s chances in the game.Indian spinners vs Bangladesh middle order can be a big factor in the game and Bangladesh will be in great shape if they play well against the Indian spinners.

#3 Shakib vs Yuvraj and Raina

Can Shakib stop Yuvraj and Raina

Suresh Raina has been in extremely poor form this season and Yuvraj Singh has still not reached his best yet.Though the fact remains that both of them are quality strikers of the ball and against a left arm spinner they can be as destructive as anyone else in the world.

Shakib is a key bowler in the Bangladeshi setup and his spell will be crucial for his team.It will be great to see how he proceeds against the likes of Yuvraj and Raina who won’t hold themselves back against the left arm spin of Shakib.

If Shakib picks up the wickets of Raina or Yuvraj then there will be huge pressure on the likes of Dhoni and Pandya but if the two southpaws from India successfully take on the Bangladeshi allrounder then there are high chances of Indian batting acing the Bangladeshi bowling.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah vs Mahmudullah

Can Mahmudullah provide a strong finish to Bangladesh’s batting

Mahmudullah is one of the best Bangladeshi batsman and his resurgence during the ODI world cup has remained intact after that.He is one of the best finishers in the T20s at this time and he has been consistently providing strong finishes to his team.

Bumrah has been India’s best death overs bowler in the last few months and his control over yorkers and slower balls is a delight to watch.The way he castled Corey Anderson’s stumps in the tournaments opener was a testimony to his great death bowling skills.

Though he will have a challenge on hands against Mahmudullah.Bumrah will have to be emaculate against Mahmudullah if he has to stay away from being hit all over the ground.A strong finish to the Bangladeshi innings can take away all the momentum from India’s hands and might play a big part in India losing against the neighbours.

#5 MS Dhoni vs Mustafizur Rahman

Dhoni vs Rahman will be crucial battle in the game

Mustafizur Rahman is fit and will be rearing to have a go against the team he dismantled in the ODI series last year to grab a name for himself in the international arena.The canny left arm seamer has variations that are still a tough nut to crack for the opposition batting.

Rahman remains Bangladesh’s most trustworthy death overs option and he will be in for a stern test against an all time great finisher of the game in MS Dhoni.Dhoni is looking like his old self in the last few games and he will be having his eyes set on sending Mustafizur’s variations out of the park.

If Mustafizur can fox Dhoni with his variations then India doesn’t have many established players in the late middle order and might find themselves in trouble.It will be up to Dhoni to provide his team a strong finish against Mustafizur led Bangladeshi bowling.