Openers in focus as India look to close in on semis berth

Before Thursday night's Australia-Bangladesh game, Antigua had been one of the lowest-scoring venues in this T20 World Cup, with an average first innings score under 100 and an average first innings winning score of 122 for five. However, India batting coach Vikram Rathour would say the team has played on pitches with even lower averages. For instance, the corresponding number at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Eisenhower Park, New York, was 108.

The Indian team has steadfastly remained indifferent to the varying conditions and ground dimensions, which have differed significantly from venue to venue in this World Cup. They are prepared for the challenges posed by the Antigua pitch and outfield in their second Super 8 game against Bangladesh on Saturday.

More than the ground realities, the Indian team would be concerned about their opening combination. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not performed up to expectations in the tournament, with the latter scoring only 28 runs in four games. Much more was anticipated from the star batter, and his underwhelming performance has been disappointing. India will hope Kohli will return to form soon. After his half-century against Ireland in the first game, skipper Rohit Sharma has also fallen short of expectations. A strong start from these two star openers is crucial for India to stay on track against an opponent that has, more often than not, troubled them in global competitions.

Another concern is the ability of Shivam Dube to handle pressure at this level. His six-hitting abilities have not exactly come to the fore and the Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings batter would be facing competition from Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are sitting in the dugout. Time could be running out for him.

India will still fancy their chances and a win on Saturday morning will take them one step closer to a berth in the semifinals.

When: India vs Bangladesh, Super 8, 8:00 PM IST (June 22), 10:30 AM local time.

Where: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda

What to expect: A keen contest is on the cards. India and Bangladesh have a history of producing close matches in the World Cup although their head-to-head record of 12-1 does not exactly justify the intensity of the contests between the sides. The last time they played in the T20 World Cup, in Australia, India wriggled out of a tight situation, thanks to a flash of alacrity from KL Rahul, whose direct hit from a distance sent a dangerous Litton Das back. On a pitch that is expected to turn, India should start favourites but Bangladesh will not be pushovers.

Head to head: India 12 - 1 Bangladesh. Despite being run close, India have never lost to Bangladesh in the four encounters between the two teams in T20 World Cups.

Team Watch

India:Once again, finger spinners are expected to excel in the conditions. India have clarified that there is no plan to change the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli which means there is unlikely to be any change to the team composition. Shivam Dube's performance may come under scrutiny but he is likely to be persisted with, given that Bangladesh have quite a few spinners.

Tactics & Matchups: Rohit Sharma has dominated against Bangladesh in the past. While Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan have never managed to dismiss him in T20Is, the Indian opener has been lethal against Mustafizur Rahman. He could be the key for a strong start for India.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Bangladesh:They were high on confidence after progressing to the Super 8 but the loss against Australia would have deflated them a bit. Nevertheless, Bangladesh would like to play with a lot of freedom when they take on their powerful Asian neighbours. Bangladesh's middle-order batters and bowlers have carried them to this promising position despite the top-order's none too impressive showing. Najmul Hossain's team will have to win this game if they want to progress beyond the Super 8.

Tactics & Matchups: Tanzim Hasan Shakib has been extremely effective against the right-handed batters in this World Cup, picking eight wickets in 73 balls. He could pose a serious threat to the out-of-form Indian openers.

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain, Litton Kumar Das, Shakib al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Shakib.

Did you know?

• India have been without a 50+ opening stand now for ten consecutive innings in T20Is

• Tanzid Hasan has had three different opening partners in five innings in this tournament so far and the longest Bangladesh's opening pair has survived is two overs

• Litton Das's only 50+ score in 18 innings in T20 World Cups came when he played India last time in Adelaide

What they said:

"We've always had depth as a team, I believe. But yeah, these conditions maybe suit us more because we can afford to play two or three spinners at times. So that I believe can be our best team. That is our strength. That has been our strength. So yeah, it feels like because somebody like Axar [Patel] playing at eight gives you a lot of confidence because he can bat and he's bowling really well at the moment. So, it does give you a lot of options" - Vikram Rathour, India batting coach, on the abundance of allrounders in the team.

"It is difficult to say why we are not able to play. I think everyone has the capability, people have played well in different places in the past. But I do not have an answer to why this is not happening. Everyone has the freedom to play their natural game and they will try to play as they want, but somehow it is not happening." - Najmul Hossain Shanto, on Bangladesh's top-order failure in this World Cup.