NIDAHAS TROPHY FINAL

Emotionally-charged Bangladesh out to beat India and odds for title glory

by Shirshendu Roy • Last updated on

Shakib Al Hasan's return has added a spring to Bangladesh's stride © AFP

When the Nidahas Trophy kick-started on March 6, there were reports that the final of the tournament was already sold out, and that India and Sri Lanka were expected to lock horns in it. India managed to live up to the expected standards, and form one half of the title clash, but an emotionally-charged Bangladesh defied conventional wisdom and usurped the hosts to take the other spot.

Through two fascinating wins over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have upped their T20 game like never before and now stand on the brink of turning a new chapter in this format for themselves. But they cannot let the events and emotions of their final spot-sealing win over Sri Lanka to repeat itself. Surely not against an opponent they have never beaten in this format in seven attempts.

Such was the drama around Bangladesh's victory on Friday night that their fine exhibition of skills took a backseat. Tempers flared beyond acceptable levels, and it was the 'cobra dance' and the confrontation between the two teams during the final over that appeared on most of the front pages, and not Mahmudullah's finishing move. As expected, captain Shakib Al Hasan and squad member Nurul Hasan were fined 25 percent of their match fees and also handed one demerit point each.

Besides all the unnecessary fracas though, is the fact that their senior batsmen - Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah - stood up and made it count in the crucial fixture. Though the bowlers were ordinary in the second-half of Sri Lanka's innings, they should be buoyed by their start which had resulted in the hosts being reduced to 41 for 5. If Mustafizur Rahman's second spell was as good as his first, Bangladesh would've chased much lesser. Mehidy Hasan too brought out his best game. Shakib's return to lead the team has visibly added an extra spring to their stride.

In the opposition camp, India are better-placed than their final opponents. Since their opening day defeat to Sri Lanka, India have only moved ahead - winning three on the bounce to waltz through to the final. One of India's foes could be law of averages - catching up on them in the title clash. But they battled that to a great extent in their previous game when Rohit Sharma stepped up after Shikhar Dhawan's rare lapse, and Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey put in assured performances in the middle-order. One of their biggest pluses in the series has been Washington Sundar's coming of age. The teenager's growing stature of being an effective bowler during the powerplay overs strengthens India chances further, throwing another hurdle in Bangladesh's path to title triumph.

With all bases seemingly covered for India and the odds stacked heavily in their favour, Bangladesh might have a mountain to move in the finale. And yet, Shakib & Co.'s ability to fight fire with fire should stop India from taking the fixture - and the result - for granted.

When: March 18 (Sunday), 7 PM Local

Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: A 50 percent chance of thundershowers during late afternoon and early evening. But the fact that the worst-hit game in the series due to rain was a 19-overs-a-side affair, is an encouraging sign.

Team News:

India

Jaydev Unadkat was back bowling at full tilt, and should be in for Mohammad Siraj as the only change for the final.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (w), Vijay Shankar, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal

Bangladesh

It's unlikely Bangladesh will tinker with the combination that gave them a fascinating win over Sri Lanka and took them a step closer to series victory.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam

Did you know?

- India have had the better of Bangladesh in the seven head-to-head encounters between the two sides. Only Pakistan have won more T20Is in a row against an opponent - nine against Zimbabwe.

- Bangladesh have featured in four finals - thrice in ODIs and once in T20Is - losing all four. This is the first time they play a final outside Dhaka.

What they said:

"Let's be fair to India as a cricketing nation - whether we play the second string or the first string team that's always the case. When we play Bangladesh, if we win it's like 'Ok, you've won against Bangladesh', but if we lose it's like 'dude, you've lost to Bangladesh. What are you doing?'. I'm sure that's going to be there." - Dinesh Karthik.

Everyone has a different mentality. I would hope that none of our players have that mental block. It would help us to play well. If we think it is a big final against India, then it is pressure - Shakib Al Hasan.

© Cricbuzz

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