IND vs BAN: cricketing world was abuzz with excitement as the 17th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 kicked off in Pune. The match between cricketing giants India and Bangladesh was poised to be a thrilling encounter, with Rohit Sharma and Nazmul Hasan Shanto leading their respective teams.
The Toss and Decision:
The match began with the toss going in favor of Bangladesh, and they promptly chose to bat first. Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, seemed pleased with this outcome, stating, “We wanted to bowl first.”
Ashwin’s Unexpected Absence:
IND vs BAN: The pitch in Pune is renowned for its spin-friendly nature, leading to widespread speculation that ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would replace Shardul Thakur in the playing XI. Yet, to the surprise of many, Rohit Sharma chose to stick with the same lineup that brought victories against both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma’s Explanation:
During the toss, Rohit elucidated his decision by saying, “At this stage of the World Cup, we aim to provide every player with ample confidence and avoid any mental strains. The team is in top shape, and we prefer not to make unnecessary alterations.”
Bangladesh’s Strategy and Leadership:
IND vs BAN: Nazmul Hasan Shanto, stepping in as captain in place of Shakib Al Hasan, expressed pride at leading his team. “The pitch looks promising,” he mentioned, showing confidence in their decision to bat. He further noted the absence of Shakib due to certain issues and highlighted the inclusion of Nasum in the lineup. Drawing inspiration from past encounters, Shanto remained hopeful that their previous successes against India would guide them to another stellar performance.
Team Lineups:
Bangladesh:
Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
Liton Das
Tanjeed Hasan Tamim
Tauheed Hridoy
Mushfiqur Rahim
Mahmudullah Riyad
Mehndi Hasan Miraj
Nasum Ahmed
Mustafizur Rahman
Hasan Mahmood
Shoriful Islam
India:
Rohit Sharma (captain)
Virat Kohli
Jasprit Bumrah
Shubman Gill
KL Rahul
Hardik Pandya (vice-captain)
Shreyas Iyer
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Siraj
Shardul Thakur
Rohit Sharma’s decision to exclude Ashwin, given the conditions, left many fans perplexed. As the World Cup progresses, only time will tell if this tactical choice will pay dividends or be remembered as a missed opportunity.
Image Credit – indiatoday
