Pune: Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against an unchanged Indian team, which is seeking their fourth consecutive win in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Thursday.
“I would have bowled first. It’s working at this point of time, don’t see any reason to change it. That’s important in this WC, keeping everybody in good space. The boys are in good shape, good mental space as well and enjoying the cricket. So far so good, we want to continue this momentum, same team,” said India capital Rohit Sharma after losing the toss.
This is the first game of the tournament at the venue.
While India have won three matches in a row against Australia, Afghanistan and recently Pakistan in this World Cup so far, Bangladesh have lost two matches against England and New Zealand after starting the tournament on a winning note against Afghanistan.
The Bangladesh is facing India sans captain Shakib Al Hasan, who had to sit out of the match owing to a niggle which he picked up during a previous clash with New Zealand. “Shakib is struggling a bit. We hope he recovers soon. He is an important player for us. Nasum Ahmed is coming in for him,” stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said at the toss.
Meanwhile after a cautious start, Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan pressed the accelerator with both hitting a couple of boundaries in an over. While Hasan smashed Siraj in the 8th over for two boundaries, Litton hit two fours against Hardik Pandya, who had to walk off the field due to an injury after bowling three balls.
Hardik twisted his ankle while trying to stop a ball hit by Litton on the follow through.
Virat Kohli finished off the over of Hardik, conceding two runs in three balls.. The last time Virat Kohli had bowled in any ODI’s was back in 2017 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Bangladesh are 91/0 at 14 overs.
India vs Bangladesh ODI World Cup Head-to-Head
Bangladesh beat India by 5 wickets – 2007 ODI World Cup
India beat Bangladesh by 87 runs – 2011 ODI World Cup
India beat Bangladesh by 109 runs – 2015 ODI World Cup
India beat Bangladesh by 28 runs – 2019 ODI World Cup
