Tactics Board: How Bangladesh can beat India
Bangladesh have not beaten India in a global tournament since that famous win in 2007. We take a look at how they could halt India's run
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Jun-2017
Since World Cup 2015, Bangladesh (11-10) have a better win-loss record against the top-eight ODI sides than India (11-13). While most of their victories have come in familiar home conditions, Bangladesh have shown, with their wins against New Zealand in Dublin and Cardiff, that on their day, they are as good as anyone else in the competition.
Address top-order wobbles and over-dependence on Tamim
Tamim Iqbal, with 223 runs from the first two matches, carried Bangladesh's batting on his own. The rest of the top order, though, has had a lean time, and selection changes have failed to turn fortunes around so far. In seven innings in total, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes and Sabbir Rahman have scored just 67 runs at an average of 11.17. They will be up against India's pace attack, whose economy rate of 4.33 in the Powerplay has been the best in the tournament so far.
Unleash the Fizz, target Kohli's Achilles heel
India's top order, on the other hand, has struck fine form in the three games so far, accumulating 609 from Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Bangladesh, though, have bowlers who have managed to trouble them in the past with variations and pace. For a start, India are Mustafizur Rahman's favourite opponents - he has 13 wickets at 11.53 from three games against them. Rubel Hossain has had the measure of Kohli, dismissing him twice in the last four matches between these sides, including the World Cup quarter-final in 2015. India's lower order has not been under pressure yet, and winning these mini-tussles could hold the key for Bangladesh.
Win the death overs battle
Despite having an ordinary tournament so far, Bangladesh's bowlers possess the second-best record among the top eight sides in the death overs since World Cup 2015, conceding just 6.8 runs per over at an impressive average of 16.00. They will be up against one of the most destructive sides in the last ten overs, scoring at 8.18 per over in the same period. Should India bat first, Bangladesh's ability to restrict them in this phase could make the difference between a competitive total and one beyond their reach.