India-Bangladesh clash: A battle backed by passion and expectations
Bangladesh is hoping that their team, which had stunned India in the last World Cup, can do it again
Mirpur: Never before has an India-Bangladesh clash evoked so much of expectations and passion like what is for today's historic clash between the two neighbouring countries. This small South Asian country, which is riding on the prestige of staging such a huge event, is hoping that their team, which had stunned India in the last World Cup, can do it again.
The Indian team has arrived here with the big pressure of getting off to a winning start. On paper, India does look formidable. They have come to a venue where the whole nation will be doing nothing but rooting for their team. It will be a battle in front of packed stadium that will be vociferously backing Bangladesh. That itself will put to test the nerves of every Indian player. Fortunately for India, they have experienced players who can withstand such pressure, even huge emotional outpours.
The Sher-e-Bangla National stadium with a capacity of only 25,000 will be packed to the brim, but over 40,000 are expected to be outside the stadium to soak in the atmosphere. Such is the passion for the game in this country.
The Dhaka City Corporation, in order to cater to the huge demand to watch the action live, will telecast all the matches on big screens in 14 different locations of the city.
Around seven playgrounds in the city have also installed giant screens for people to soak in the live action. Many LED screens placed on trucks will beam live the action from 10 different spots of the city.
In short, when India plays Bangladesh today, this whole nation will come to a standstill. What will also make the battle very exciting is that it is a contest between two nations who are very familiar with each other's conditions. Both have strong spinners and it will be difficult to pin-point who will have the better edge.
Confidence levels in the Indian team are high, especially after victories over Australia and New Zealand in their warm up matches. And luckily for them, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to have regained his touch with a sparkling century over New Zealand in the warm up match. The Indian batting line-up is filled with explosive batsmen right from the start and it will be a treat to watch if Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar open the innings.
All eyes will also be on Yusuf Pathan, the new big hitter in the game.
Bangladesh too has opener Tamim Iqbal, who can provide an electrifying start. How many from the rest can rise to the challenge, only time will tell. Their batting, in the warm up match against Pakistan, did not click and they were bowled out for 196 runs.
A World Cup match can set the adrenaline pumping up and players will try to produce their best unlike in a warm up match. With the whole nation rooting for a great performance, it will be a spectacular contest of nerves as well as the bat and ball.
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