India's performance in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has been nothing short of remarkable. Scheduled to battle Bangladesh in their ultimate Super 4s encounter on September 15 in Colombo, India have already solidified their position in the final. Rohit Sharma's brigade earned their final ticket following 41-run triumph against Sri Lanka, where they effectively halted the latter's impressive 13-match winning streak.
This victory, secured at the dry pitch of R. Premadasa Stadium, showcased the brilliance of India's openers in both batting and bowling. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's partnership was particularly noteworthy, setting up an impressive 80-run stand. Bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were instrumental, delivering stellar performances that sealed the deal for India.
Earlier in the series, India had obliterated Pakistan with a lead of 228 runs, pushing them to the apex of the points table and granting them the best net run rate (NRR) in the competition. The squad's mettle was further tested against Nepal and once again against Pakistan, and they emerged victorious on both occasions.
Individual performances have also been in the spotlight, with Rohit Sharma leading the scoring charts. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s exemplary form has seen him become the top wicket-taker of the tournament. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah's return to ODI cricket was marked by his splendid displays, and Hardik Pandya's prowess with the ball has been undeniable.
Big players expected to be rested
Given the comfort of their position, India might use this Bangladesh clash to experiment. The lineup could see significant changes, including possible rests for prominent players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. This would present an opportunity for talents like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer to shine.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, confronts a forced change, with Mushfiqur Rahim withdrawing for personal reasons. This reshuffles the deck for their playing XI, positioning Litton Das as the wicketkeeper and opening slots for players like Afif Hossain.
India's Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav/Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Bangladesh's Predicted XI: Tanzid Hasan/Anamul Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das (WK), Shakib Al Hasan (C), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed.
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