Birmingham: The moment the semifinalists of the ongoing Champions Trophy were identified a joke started doing the rounds on the various platforms of the social media. It said that a reunion of 1947 had happened between India (proud father), England (selfish mother), Pakistan (nalayak son) and Bangladesh (overconfident grandson). However, then this is not about Pakistan or England, it is about the upcoming semifinal here Thursday at Edgbaston between India and Bangladesh where the proud father will try and teach a thing or two to the overconfident grandson.
The Indo-Bangla semifinal is a match which is not just about a game of cricket only, it is about many more things. The perennial underdogs of the game, Bangladesh know that only a victory against India will enable them to take one more vital step in getting rid of the ‘fledgling’ tag which has haunted them in the last one year or so. If cricket is religion in India, it is something beyond that in Bangladesh, the passion it evokes is something simply indescribable. They have successfully ‘married nationalism and cricket together’ and it is a getaway for them from the worries of poverty, unemployment and other teething issues.
For India the game is a double-edged sword. If they win, it will be considered a routine affair, as if it has always been on the cards and how can minnows of the game even dream about winning against Men in Blue. But if they lose, the criticism will be unparallel and if all the Indians are under any pressure, it is because of this expectation.
On paper and man to man, India are far superior. In the warm up game the Indians dismissed Bangladesh for less than 100 with most of their players running away from the pace of Umesh Yadav. It is this simple fact, that makes India’s choice a bit difficult… whether they go with the same side that bludgeoned South Africa or once more bring back Umesh in place of Ashwin. However, as things panned out at the nets here Wednesday, indications were that India would retain the same XI.
It is a fact that some of the Bangladeshi batters have been in very good form. The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan and Mahmudullah have all got centuries in the ongoing tournament and their terrific come-from-behind against New Zealand must have done their confidence a world of good. But then India showed their true colours in the make-or-break game against South Africa and if they maintain the same form, it will be enough to see them through against the Tigers.
The other thing India will have to be worried about is rain. The Met office here has predicted clear skies, but even then it would be a good idea to chase. India’s top-order has been in flamboyant form and if there is rain-intervention then chasing a truncated target will be easier than defending one.
Agencies
