The stage is set in Pune for yet another enthralling World Cup game that will see India and Bangladesh lock squaring off against each other on Thursday. The men in blue have on a winning spree, registering three wins on the trot. They opened the campaign with a resilient win against Australia before pummeling the likes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. On the other hand, Bangladesh are desperate for a win as they have managed just one so far in three games.
IND vs BAN ICC World Cup 2023 Live
The forthcoming match in Pune has a historic significance as it’s going to be the first ODI between India and Bangladesh in 25 years. The Bangla Tigers have played 12 games in India but only three against the hosts in their backyard.
The last ODI between the two teams in India was played in 1998 in Chennai, which was a tri-angular series with Kenya being the third side. India, under the leadership of Ajay Jadeja, defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets with 124 balls to spare. The likes of Rahul Dravid and Paras Mhambrey were in the playing XI who are currently the coaches of the Indian cricket team.
India went on to win the triangular series by defeating Kenya in the final. The men in blue chased down a minimal target of 197 in just 35 overs and 9 wickets in hands.
Bangladesh have played only 12 ODIs in India out of which they have won three and lost the other 9. Their victories were against Kenya (1998), Zimbabwe (2006) and Afghanistan (2023).
India have reigned supreme over Bangladesh in three out of four outings, with Bangladesh’s only win against the Men in Blue in a World Cup coming in 2007. And despite the sheer dominance the Indians have showcased against the Tigers, recent history actually provides a glimmer of hope for the Bangladesh side.
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Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said past record would not be a factor and what would matter more is that his team had a ‘complete game’ against the hosts.
“We have had success in the recent past against India, but then when you come to the World Cup it’s a very different game altogether. As I said, we are hoping that we will have a complete game against them, that we need to perform to our potential and India is probably the in-form team this World Cup and if they have not so good game and if we play to our potential, I think it’s going to be a good game for us and we are capable of doing that. We have proved that confidence and that memory are going to serve us well to start [well] at the start. So, we need to start well,” said Hathurusingha.
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