Match Preview: India vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 17th Match

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been a whirlwind of surprises. From the shock defeat of the defending champions by Afghanistan to the unexpected fall of the mighty South African side, the tournament has kept fans on the edge of their seats. Amidst these dramatic turns, India has stood tall, living up to its reputation as pre-tournament favourites. Now, in the city of Pune, they are set to lock horns with a resurgent Bangladesh—a team that has enjoyed a recent edge over the Men in Blue but has historically faltered on the World Cup platform. With such intriguing backstories, this match promises to be a spectacle.

Venue Insights

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune has been a batsman's paradise. With an average first innings score of 307 runs since 2017, teams batting first have crossed the 300 mark in three out of five ODIs. Moreover, the pitch at this venue not only offers batsmen the chance to score boundaries through well-timed shots but also provides spinners an opportunity as the game progresses. It has been nine months since an international match was last played at this venue.

Form Guide - India

The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, has showcased stellar performances with three convincing victories against strong contenders like Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, has been exceptional, grabbing 28 of 30 possible wickets in their matches. Apart from their bowlers, Rohit Sharma's ultra-aggressive approach has added flair to their batting, making them one of the pre-tournament favourites along with New Zealand.

Form Guide - Bangladesh

Bangladesh's recent form has been inconsistent. While they have a 3-1 ODI victory record against India in the past 12 months, their current World Cup performance is patchy. Bangladesh's historic win against India in the ODI World Cup was 16 years ago, and since then, they have faced India thrice on the biggest stage, only to fall short. Veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim have stepped up, but the team's overall consistency is a concern.

Players to Watch

Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting for India has been a standout, especially given the batting-friendly surfaces he's encountered so far. For Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto needs to find his form back after his promising innings against Afghanistan. The Indian side would also be optimistic about Kuldeep Yadav, given his past success against Bangladesh, particularly recalling his eight-wicket haul in the Chattogram Test late last year.

Team Composition