Internet Desk: Buoyed by the comprehensive win over arch-rivals Pakistan, a confident India will look for another colossal victory and inch closer to the semifinals when they square off against an embattled Bangladesh in the ICC World Twenty20 here on Wednesday.
The hosts were under tremendous pressure after the surprise loss to New Zealand in the opening encounter, but showed tremendous character to bounce back by beating Pakistan in a high-voltage clash at the Eden Gardens to put their campaign back on track in the tournament.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men will be looking forward to a victory by a bigger margin against Bangladesh which will take them closer to the coveted semifinal berth as the Net Run Rate will be a factor in the end.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are on the verge of being knocked out of the event and a win on Wednesday would go a long way in giving them a mathematical chance of making the last-four stage.
However, a close look at the current form of the two teams would make India outright favourites for the match even though Bangladesh have built a reputation of upstaging big teams in big events.
India’s formidable batting line-up, led by Virat Kohli, gives them a clear edge and should be more than a handful for the Bangladeshi bowlers, who would find it an enormous task to either contain or dismiss the hosts.
The only batting worry for India is the form of opener Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, all three of whom have looked distinctly uncomfortable in the two outings so far.
However, playing in home conditions, the trio is expected to strike form sooner than later and make up for its failures against the Kiwis and Pakistan.
But Kohli will be the cynosure of all eyes once again after belting a classy unbeaten 55 against Pakistan. The swashbuckling right-hander is currently a cut above the rest as far as ease of scoring is concerned.
Skipper Dhoni will be expecting his formidable middle order batting to come good against Bangladesh. Last time the two sides met in Asia Cup final in Dhaka , it was Virat’s brilliance that got the better of their opponents as India were crowned the champions.