XtraTime Web Desk: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly feels that India will start as the favourites in the final of the Asia Cup 2018 when they will face Bangladesh on Friday. As per the legendary left-hand batsman the Men in Blue have looked like an unbeatable side throughout the tournament.
[11:13 PM, 9/26/2018] Soumajit Dey:
“India have looked unbeatable in this competition. After a shaky start against Hong Kong, they have just got stronger and stronger and will not be easy to beat in the final. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have batted exceptionally well and the break they got from not playing in the game against Afghanistan would have done them a world of good in these testing conditions,” he wrote in his column for The TOI on Friday.
Sourav has a suggestion for Bangladesh as well. He thinks that Bangladeshi bowlers will have to send Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma back to the pavilion quickly if they look to do well in the final.
[11:13 PM, 9/26/2018] Soumajit Dey:
He added, “For Bangladesh to remain in the contest, it will be important to control these two batsmen first before they look at others. Their exceptional form upfront means that the Indian middle-order has not come under much pressure, other than in the game against Afghanistan.”
Ganguly predicted that Bangladesh need to present a target in the vicinity of 275 if they bat first.
[11:13 PM, 9/26/2018] Soumajit Dey:
“For Bangladesh to even stay competitive, a good score of around 275 will be required or else India will run away with the game,” he said.
Mashrafe & Co. won’t get the service of their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and as per Ganguly it’s a huge blow for the tigers ahead of the title clash.
[11:13 PM, 9/26/2018] Soumajit Dey:
“The loss of Shakib Al Hasan is a major blow especially with his bowling which helped balance the side. I do feel, however, that his position at No. 3 is a bit too high for him. Bangladesh have depended on Mushfiqur Rahim to see them through in big games but it cannot be him all the time, especially with the load he takes on as the ‘keeper. The rest will have to stand up, too,” he observed.
[11:13 PM, 9/26/2018] Soumajit Dey:
Praising the Indian pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ganguly wrote, “The Indian side will remain unchanged from the one which played against Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier, and the threat of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will loom over the Bangladeshi batsmen. Both have been exceptional with the ball, especially Bumrah who has been a standout in all formats for India. It jut goes to show that quality players adapt themselves to all formats of the game.”