Friday, March 16, 2007

India expect Bangladesh challenge

World Cup group B, Trinidad: India v Bangladesh
Match starts 1330 GMT Saturday

India captain Rahul Dravid
Dravid hopes to end India's 24-year wait for a second World Cup triumph

India cannot afford any complacency when they meet Bangladesh in their opening World Cup game in Trinidad.

They have won 13 of the 14 one-day internationals between the two sides but Bangladesh upset New Zealand in a warm-up match last week.

And India skipper Rahul Dravid has warned his players of the need to be fully "switched on" against the Tigers.

"I expect the team to put up a very professional performance, irrespective of who we play against," he said.

India's main selection dilemma concerns batsman Virender Sehwag, who was out for a third-ball duck in their final warm-up against West Indies.

He retains the support of his captain, but if Sehwag does play it is likely to be in a middle order role, with Robin Uthappa going in first with Sourav Ganguly, who led India all the way to the final four years ago.

Coach Greg Chappell is happy with his side's preparation and is unworried that they have had to wait until the fifth day of the World Cup to make their entrance.

"The guys have enjoyed a few days of peace and quiet. We've been practising, relaxing, swimming, sailing and snorkelling - we have been doing things you would expect to do in the West Indies, things sometimes the guys don't get an opportunity to do.

"Now, everyone is keen for the tournament to start," he said.

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar
Habibul Bashar adds experience to a young Bangladesh side

India have five seam bowlers in their squad to choose from and one of them, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, believes the experience gained during last year's tour will stand them in good stead.

"What I have learnt is that you have to be really patient on slow wickets here. You shouldn't really try too hard.

"You have to use common sense and if you play with the brain, you will do well," he said.

The flamboyant 24-year-old is not taking a place in the starting XI for granted, but added: "I'm sure I'll play a big role at the World Cup...when the opportunity comes, I will grab it with both hands."

For Bangladesh, their mission is to prove that the improvement they have made over the past few months, winning 17 of their last 20 games, albeit against lesser sides than India, can be sustained on the big stage.

"Coming to the World Cup we were a bit worried because we had hot played a big team for a while - but after beating New Zealand, we feel we can do it," said skipper Habibul Bashar.

The Tigers have a useful bowling attack featuring paceman Mashrafe bin Mortaza and left-arm spinners Mohammad Rafique and Abdur Razzak and a talented, if sometimes inconsistent batting line-up.

"If the boys are able to keep their focus and control what they can control, then we will be OK," coach Dav Whatmore commented.

He has urged his team not to be distracted by the "superstar status" of the Indian players.

"Once you walk onto the ground, we are equals. No matter who the person is, he too has got two arms and legs," said Whatmore, who guided Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996.


India (from): R Dravid (capt), S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, R Uthappa, Y Singh, V Sehwag, D Karthik, MS Dhoni, I Pathan, A Agarkar, A Kumble, H Singh, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, M Patel.

Bangladesh (from): Habibul Bashar (capt), Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Tapash Baisya, Syed Rasel, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Steve Davis (AUS)

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