ICC World Cup 2011 - India's team strength and track record is intimidating

India’s overall team combination and the performance in the warm-up games will certainly send shivers down any opposition’s spine. Over the last two years, the Men in Blue are at the height of their powers. Having said that, Bangladesh, too, have improved considerably.

On paper, the Indians are way above the Tigers and their track record at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium against Bangladesh is 100 percent. In fact, the home team has been outclassed. It’s fair to say that the India will be overwhelming favourites in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.

But on the mega stage it’s quite hard to write off a side and that too a team like Bangladesh who has improved immensely over the years.

Bangladesh’s main strength is their bowling. Having been successful with bowling with three specialist left-arm spinners, Bangladesh is supposed to stick to that formula. And as all the spinners are wicket takers it is a must that they get the best support from the fielders.

In the last warm-up match against Pakistan, Bangladesh’s fielding has been terrible. In mega events, a single reprieve to a batsman like Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag can prove very costly. In the warm-up match against Pakistan, the Tigers dropped important catches, which cost them the match. The fielding has to be flawless.

Bangladesh must target the top three batsmen of the Indian team. It’s imperative to dismiss them early. And for that to happen, the new ball bowlers must stick to the basics rather than stretch beyond their abilities. If the new ball bowlers strike early blows, it will make easier for the spinners to attack.

Bowling is the key to success in this World Cup for the Tigers. The Bangla batting is heavily dependent on the hard-hitting of Tamim and the charismatic Shakib.

The main problem of the line-up is the lack of stability in the middle. If superstars like Tamim and Shakib fall early, collapse becomes evident. Rahim has the necessary composure but the impetuosity of youth undermines that at times.

Against Pakistan, Bangladesh maintained a healthy run-rate good, but then lost wickets at regular intervals. The penchant for over attacking let the team down. Patience is the key while batting – something which will be very critical against a team like India. The Tigers need to put a price tag on their wicket.

Against the big guns, the less-fancied teams approach with a defensive mindset. That is where the match is lost before its gets under way. The Tigers must approach with an attacking mindset – batting or bowling.

If Bangladesh bowl first, they must restrict the Indians like they did in Trinidad four years ago. And if they bowl second, their batsmen must show enough discipline to give the bowlers a good score to defend. If the Tigers approach correctly, then it is not impossible to beat the men in blue.

In Shakib, Bangladesh has the right person to lead. He is a smart operator and has handled pressure well over the years. But it is on this greatest stage he must give his best to produce the best results for his country.

There have been a lot of talks about the dew factor. Till now there has not been any effect of it. But you never know predict weather with a degree of certainity. If the dew factor does come into play, then the plan would be to chase. Perhaps, the captain and the coach have the same plan in their thoughts.

Lastly, it’s all about coping with the pressure. The team which copes with the pressure well will be the winner in the end. Playing in front of the home crowd, Bangladesh must not take it as a pressure but must take it as a psychological boost.

The Tigers must bear in mind that beating the best teams is not an impossible task.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 18/02/2011 http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/indias-team-strength-and-track-record-is-intimidating-515

Thank You

Faisal Caesar