India face BD in Asia Cup opener

By our correspondents
February 24, 2016

DHAKA: With two back to back T20 series wins and Virat Kohli coming back after being rested, India kick-off their Asia Cup campaign against hosts Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Wednesday (today).

India will have the only concern regarding captain MS Dhoni who skipped practice on Monday due to a muscle spasm. Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has been flown in as his backup.

For the first time, the Asia Cup will not be played as a 50-over competition, but will instead be a 20-over affair.

India and Sri Lanka are the two most successful teams in the tournament, having won the title five times each and Dhoni and his men would look to extend that trophy haul.

The tournament will also be a dress rehearsal before the World T20 in India next month and Dhoni had earlier said he would try and give all 15 members in the squad some valuable match practice.

India looks a settled unit in every department. Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been amongst the runs while Virat Kohli has been in great form. The finishers too including Suresh Raina and Dhoni have batted well in the last few games.

Bangladesh are yet to win the Asia Cup but the 2016 hosts can take a lot of confidence from their efforts in the 2012 edition when the Mushfiqur Rahman-led unit beat both India and Sri lanka before losing to Pakistan in the title clash.

Shakib Al Hasan, Rahim and Mortaza form the pillars of this side as they try to keep the foundation steady and prevent it from crumbling in the midst of youngsters.

Mustafizur Rahman, who was thorn in MS Dhoni’s India flesh last year, would look to emulate his show against the neighbouring countries. Recognising his capabilities, Sunrisers Hyderabad snapped him up for the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League.

Shakib-Al-Hasan offers tricky spin bowling as an option to his side and a key member to slow down the flow of runs.

And with the unpredictability of the format Bangladesh would be hoping to pull off a surprise in front of their vociferous home fans.