Don't take Bangladesh lightly: Gavaskar
© AFP
India, having finished top of Pool B after winning all their six league matches, face Bangladesh in their World Cup quarter-final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. Bangladesh were fourth in Pool A and are the lowest ranked side of the eight teams who have made the knockout stages. However, the Bangla Tigers have shown with their recent performances that they are no pushovers and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar warned the defending champions against taking them lightly. (Incredible India vs Buoyant Bangladesh: Top Five Battles )
Bangladesh defeated England and gave New Zealand a close run in their own den in the group stages. The batting has been consistent and the bowlers have shown the ability to pick up regular wickets.
Though the second quarter-final of the tournament looks like a mismatch, Gavaskar told NDTV the Indians needed to be wary of their neighbours' form: "Bangladesh are batting very well. They have been getting runs consistently. And if the ball starts to spin at the MCG, they would be able to defend a score of 240-250. It was good that India were tested in their last game (against Zimbabwe in Auckland)." (Bangladesh to Battle Odds and Crowd Against India )
Gavaskar said he expected India to win but reiterated it won't be easy. The last time Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men played at the MCG was against South Africa in their second game of the World Cup. Indian fans far outnumbered the Proteas as Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and the bowlers demolished the Africans. (India Hold All Cards Over Bangladesh )
"Indian fans overwhelmed the South Africans but don't underestimate Bangladeshi supporters", said the former India Test player.
The onus to push the extra mile will be on Bangladesh. They defeated India in 2007 in the West Indies but suffered a massive loss in the 2011 World Cup in front of home fans in Dhaka. Besides, like Gavaskar pointed out, it won't be easy scoring boundaries and hitting sixes at the huge ground. Add to that, India's super fielding form and Bangladesh clearly have their task cut out.
Former West Indian captain Brian Lara, meanwhile, told NDTV that it would be a difficult task for Bangladesh to overcome an in-form India.
"India are a much stronger side. I am not underrating Bangladesh but it won't be easy for them."
The winner of the MCG quarter-final will face off against either Australia or Pakistan in the semifinals next week.
0 comments:
Post a Comment