ICC World Cup 2023, IND Vs BAN| Five Player Battles To Watch Out For

image-lnvoi08oIndia enjoys a stellar record against the Bangla Tigers in the World Cups. (AP)

Team India aims to secure their fourth consecutive victory in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup on October 19th in Pune. Their next challenge is Bangladesh, and Rohit Sharma's squad has solidified their status as World Cup favorites with an impressive performance against Pakistan in Ahmedabad.

On the flip side, Bangladesh has struggled after securing their first victory over Afghanistan. Nonetheless, their recent performance against India has given them a confidence boost for this match. The Bangla Tigers have clinched victory against the Men in Blue in three out of their last five ODI encounters. Bangladesh emerged victorious over India in the most recent ODI series in December 2022, and they also bested them in the Asia Cup 2023.

IND vs BAN: Player battles to watch out for

India and Bangladesh share a storied history in ODI cricket, with both sides securing high-stakes victories over the other. While India has generally been the dominant force, Bangladesh has occasionally delivered surprise victories. As we anticipate this high-pressure clash, let's examine five player battles that could prove pivotal in the India vs. Bangladesh encounter.

Shakib Al Hasan vs Virat Kohli

image-lnvor7gaShakib enjoys bowling to Kohli. (AP Photos)

This is a battle the whole world is talking about, arguably involving two of the most important players for their respective sides. There's uncertainty regarding Shakib's fitness, but he will likely play. Shakib is a very clever operator with the ball, and with his left-arm spin, he poses a threat to Kohli, who has been in sensational form with the bat. 

Lately, Kohli has been struggling against left-arm spinners, which is where Shakib will come into play. Shakib has dismissed Kohli five times in ODI cricket, including twice in the three-match ODI series in Bangladesh last year when he got the better of India's batting mainstay.

Rohit Sharma vs Mustafizur Rahman

image-lnvosoy4Rohit has brilliant record against Bangladesh. (AP)

After a duck in his opening match, Rohit has taken the World Cup by storm with one century and one half-century in his next two innings. Following his template, Rohit has aggressively attacked bowlers during the first powerplay. Mustafizur is likely to open the bowling for Bangladesh, and conditions in Pune have historically favored seamers, especially under lights. 

Mustafizur will test the in-form Rohit, and while it will be a daunting task to unsettle him, the left-arm seamer has succeeded in the past. He will aim to do it once again, this time on the World Cup stage. The Fizz has dismissed the Hitman on three occasions in ODIs, with all of those dismissals occurring in 2015. Since then, Rohit has dominated the pace ace of Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur Rahim vs Kuldeep Yadav

image-lnvov9wtMushfiqur will be up against Kuldeep. (AP)

This contest will feature Bangladesh's top spin player against India's premier spinner. Mushfiqur has been one of the few Bangladesh players who've performed well in the World Cup. Mushfiqur is arguably Bangladesh's finest player when it comes to handling spin bowling. He skillfully deploys conventional and reverse sweeps, plays the lap shot, and maneuvers his footwork adeptly.

India's ideal scenario would involve dismissing him early, and a resurgent Kuldeep Yadav may be the key for India. The left-arm wrist spinner has rejuvenated his form with a slight adjustment in technique, making him a game-changer for India, especially with his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs. His variations, including drift, dip, and googly, have become challenging for opponents to decipher. It will be fascinating to see how Mushfiqur copes with Kuldeep's spin arsenal.

Mohammed Siraj vs Tanzid Hasan

image-lnvoyaqqSiraj's spell with the new ball will be crucial for India. (AP) 

It's another powerplay showdown to keep a close eye on as Siraj goes head-to-head with Hasan. Siraj's track record against left-handed batters adds intrigue to this contest. Furthermore, Tanzid is currently struggling to find his form for Bangladesh and faces immense pressure to perform. There's a possibility he might succumb to this pressure. 

Siraj has a reputation for taking early wickets with the new ball, and he'll be eager to dismiss Tanzid in the early stages to set the tone for his team.

Litton Das vs Jasprit Bumrah

image-lnvp29xbBumrah will be in spotlight against Bangladesh. (AP)

Jasprit Bumrah's bowling has proven elusive for every opposing team in the ongoing tournament. He excels with the new ball at the beginning of innings and delivers miserly spells towards the end. Bumrah is in excellent form and rhythm, making him a significant threat to players like Litton Das, who have been struggling with their form for a while. 

Litton has not been at his best, and Bumrah will seek to remove him from the crease early. Once Litton settles in, he can accumulate runs quickly and become a substantial threat to the opposition. The Indian team is well aware of this, especially considering Litton's century against India in the final of the 2018 Asia Cup.