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Murray Goodwin showed he has lost none of his appetite for runs in his 41st year but the veteran was upstaged by Chris Cooke, 13 years his junior, as Glamorgan responded cautiously to Hampshire’s first-innings total of 349

03-Aug-2013
ScorecardChris Cooke made his highest first-class score for Glamorgan•Getty Images

Murray Goodwin showed he has lost none of his appetite for runs in his 41st year but the veteran was upstaged by Chris Cooke, 13 years his junior, as Glamorgan responded cautiously to Hampshire’s first-innings total of 349.At the close of the second day at Southampton, after Goodwin had laboured more than three hours for his 51, Cooke had recorded his first half-century and was unbeaten on 73. Glamorgan ended 123 behind on 226 for 4 from 67 overs, with South African-born Cooke having so far hit 14 fours in a stay of 103 balls.Hampshire were 261 for 6 overnight and added a further 88, with pace bowler John Glover taking two of the four wickets to fall in the morning session. James Vince, 51 not out, added another 10 runs before Graham Wagg found the edge and captain Mark Wallace took his fifth catch of the innings. Adam Wheater followed at 305 when Glover had him caught by William Bragg, and Glover struck again at 322 when he broke through Sohail Tanvir’s defences.Chris Wood hit a robust unbeaten 32, including a six off Dean Cosker, but the experienced spinner ended the innings when last-man David Griffiths edged him to Marcus North at slip.Glamorgan did not make the most promising of starts, Tanvir bowling Bragg for 12 before Griffiths removed Bragg’s opening partner Gareth Rees on 45, knocking back his off stump. Glamorgan’s hopes rested on North and Goodwin, their most tested batsmen, and they responded on a wicket easing all the time with a stand of 70 for the third wicket in 24 overs.North went at 115, bowled by a sharp delivery from left-arm pacer Wood after making 36, but Goodwin dug in. With Cooke, Goodwin added another 55 important runs to blunt the Hampshire attack in the afternoon session.But after facing 120 balls and hitting seven fours, it was almost a surprise when the obdurate Goodwin, in sight of his 23,000th first class run, was leg before to spin bowler Danny Briggs with an indeterminate shot. That did not stop Cooke, whose previous best first class score was 44, and with Jim Allenby for company, the fifth-wicket pair added 56 in the evening
sunshine. Allenby went in 15 not out while Cooke’s innings has so far occupied 103 balls and included 14 fours.

Ross Taylor, the New Zealand captain, believes his team remains on top in the first Test against West Indies despite two late wickets from Sunil Narine

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2012Ross Taylor, the New Zealand captain, believes his team remains on top in the first Test against West Indies despite two late wickets from Sunil Narine. New Zealand ended the day at 232 for 4 but a few overs earlier they had been 223 for 2, before Darren Sammy’s decision to stick with the old ball paid off when Narine bowled Taylor for 45 and then denied a century to Martin Guptill, who skied a catch to mid-on for 97.The breakthroughs took some of the gloss off an impressive day for New Zealand, whose batting in the warm-up match on the same ground was disappointing. But on a pitch that is expected to become more difficult for batting as the match wears on, Taylor said he was happy with the way the New Zealanders had performed on the first day of the series.”I think we’re on top,” Taylor said. “I’m sure they would have liked to have got a few more wickets. I guess the momentum shift a little bit, getting two wickets with myself and Guptill, they would have been a little bit more happy with the day. But I think we’re on top and it’s going to be a hard batting track out there in the third and fourth innings, so we need to score a lot of runs in this first innings.”It’s not a total [that is our target]. It’s more if we can still be batting … at tea we’ll have a sufficient total on the board. It is quite hot out there and hopefully we can keep them out there as long as possible, all going well.”Taylor was especially pleased with the way the openers, Guptill and Daniel Flynn, fought through the new ball to put on 97 for the first wicket. It was just the second time in eight years that a New Zealand opening pair had reached lunch on the first day of a Test with their wickets intact, and it was all the more impressive given that Flynn batted through illness.”They batted very well,” Taylor said. “Flynny was a bit sick out there and he gutsed it out, and he scored a good 40 and it’s not often our opening partnerships go wicketless in the first session, so that’s a positive for us and hopefully they can continue to do that. [Flynn had] just a sore tummy. He was spewing up and things.”Eventually, both openers fell to the spin of Narine, who ended the day with 3 for 73, including his first wicket in Test cricket. He bowled 28 overs and Taylor said the batsmen had found him easier to handle than in the limited-overs games, despite his late wickets.”Red ball and white ball are totally different,” he said. “Red ball, we don’t have to go after him, he has to come and get us. With the white ball we have to attack him and it showed today that if you sit on him, he goes searching. He picked up a couple of wickets towards the end there, but I thought the way we played him was very good and if we can continue that good work then we can get a sizeable total tomorrow.”Narine said it had been hard work for the bowlers on the first day, but West Indies were happy with how the day had ended.”It’s a very good wicket to bat on,” Narine said. “I think once you put down your head and but I don’t think it’s much of a problem. There’s a little bounce and turn in the wicket but you still have to pitch the ball in the right areas. We’re happy the way the day has finished. The way New Zealand started it could have been worse. So we’ll take this and come out fighting tomorrow.”

The allrounder James Franklin is the surprise omission from New Zealand’s list of contracted players for the next year

Brydon Coverdale01-Jul-2011Allrounder James Franklin is the surprise omission from New Zealand’s list of contracted players for the next year. Since his return to the one-day side in December, Franklin has topped New Zealand’s ODI batting averages with 325 runs at 54.16, but after a disappointing World Cup, he has been left out of the 20-man list.Also gone from the list are Test fast bowler Brent Arnel, allrounder Grant Elliott, wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins, Test opener Tim McIntosh, offspinner Jeetan Patel, fast bowler Daryl Tuffey, and retired batsman Scott Styris. The gloveman Reece Young, allrounders Rob Nicol and Luke Woodcock, and the fast bowler Trent Boult have all won contracts.There was also a return for the batsmen Daniel Flynn and Neil Broom, who missed out last year having previously been on the list. But there was no such welcome back for Franklin, 30, who was in a similar position last year when he was cut from the contract list, and considered turning his back on New Zealand and using his Irish passport to become a local player in county cricket.But the lure of the black cap was enough to keep Franklin pushing for national selection, and when he returned for the one-day series in India in December, he starred with 72 not out and 98 not out in his first matches back. Franklin was elevated to the contract list during the season and played for New Zealand in Test, ODI and Twenty20 cricket during the summer.He also won a place at the World Cup, where his major impact was blasting most of the 31 runs New Zealand took off one over against Canada, the third-best over in ODI history. The acting national selection manager, Mark Greatbatch, said it was a difficult call to leave out experienced players like Franklin, but changes were needed after New Zealand won none of their five Tests and only eight of their 27 ODIs over the past 12 months.”It was a tough year performance-wise,” Greatbatch told ESPNcricinfo. “If we keep picking the same players, we’re probably going to get the same results. It was a little bit of a cleanout. There have been some good players left out but they do have the opportunity in first-class cricket to press their claims. Some of these younger guys have caught up with some of the guys who have gone out, or gone past them, in our opinion.”Some guys are playing shorter form only. In Franklin’s case, he picked up points in the shorter forms but he only played one Test out of five last year. He’d like to get his bowling back to where it was four or five years ago in Test cricket. We don’t feel that’s there at the moment. We’ve picked a group of other players we feel can try and improve our Test cricket in the next two or three years.”Young, Bennett and Woodcock started international cricket last season and made the most of their opportunities and are likely to feature prominently in the year ahead. Both Flynn and Broom have worked hard to develop their game after missing out on an NZC contract last year and their inclusion is a clear indication to all players that the door is never closed,” Greatbatch said.Under the new captain Ross Taylor, New Zealand head to Zimbabwe later this year for a Test series, before playing two Tests in Australia. They then head home to host Zimbabwe and South Africa, before a trip to the Caribbean next year.New Zealand contracted players: Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock, Reece Young.

A tie was just as good as a win for India A as they qualified for the tri-series final in a freakish run-fest at Worcester, with both teams locked on 343

Cricinfo staff06-Jul-2010
ScorecardAbhinav Mukund ensured India were always in the game•Getty Images

A tie was just as good as a win for India A as they qualified for the tri-series final in a freakish run-fest at New Road, with both teams locked on 343. India were a point behind West Indies A and needed at least a tie to get the two points to ensure qualification, and they didn’t give up till the last ball. Ian Bell’s 158 carried England Lions to what seemed like an unassailable 343, but the Indian batsmen, led by Abhinav Mukund, always ensured that they were in the game.The Lions innings was built around two century partnerships at the top of the order, both driven by Bell. The wicketkeeper Steve Davies added 107 with him for the second wicket, contributing 54 off 52 balls. Iqbal Abdulla, the left-arm seamer, got India the breakthrough when he trapped Davies lbw. It was only temporary relief for India as Darren Stevens joined Bell to script the highest partnership of the innings. The pair added a further 154 off nearly 22 overs to push the Lions towards a massive score. Stevens made 64 off 61 balls before he was dismissed by Abhimanyu Mithun, with the score at 267 in the 42nd over.Bell reached his century off 117 balls, but his next 50 came off just 21. He hit 20 fours and a six before he was dismissed by the seamer Jaskaran Singh for 158 off 143 balls. All the frontline bowlers got smashed, with the exception of Abdulla, who took 2 for 56.It was hard work for the Lions bowlers as well, as the Indian openers added 79 in quick time. Shikhar Dhawan made a brisk 44 off 26 balls before he was dismissed by Liam Plunkett. Ajinkya Rahane then joined Abhinav for a steady stand of 74 to keep their side in the contest. Abhinav then added 41 with Cheteshwar Pujara and 56 with Manoj Tiwary before he was dismissed for 114, bowled by Ravi Bopara. The well-set Abhinav’s presence meant that India were always in with a chance.Fortunately for India, the lower order didn’t disappoint after Abhinav departed. Tiwary blazed 46 off 36 balls and when he was out, Wriddhiman Saha took over. Saha added 38 in quick time with Manish Pandey to take India closer. However, a double-strike by Plunkett tilted the game towards the Lions but Saha wasn’t giving up without a fight. Abdulla’s last-ditch cameo of 13 off just five balls swung it back India’s way. There was further drama off the penultimate ball as Abdulla was run-out after taking a single. India needed two to win and one to tie but they stole a bye to level the scores and seal their place in the final, also against the Lions, on Thursday.

Hardik Pandya’s issues with fitness appear to have tilted the scales against him

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jul-20246:24

Newsroom: What can we expect from SKY the captain?

Suryakumar Yadav is set to be appointed India’s new T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya, the incumbent vice-captain of the side, for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.Suryakumar will take over from Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, after leading India to T20 World Cup glory in the Caribbean last month.Though Hardik was Rohit’s deputy at the T20 World Cup and is a more experienced captain – he has led India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, apart from leading Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in the IPL – it is understood fitness concerns and workload management may have tipped the scales against him.Hardik had suffered an ankle injury during the 50-over World Cup at home last October-November and was out of action until the start of IPL 2024, when he returned to lead Mumbai. Hardik has featured in just 46 of the 79 T20Is India have played since the start of 2022.Suryakumar, meanwhile, has previously captained Mumbai in the domestic circuit. More recently, he led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia in the T20I series last November, followed by a 1-1 series scoreline in South Africa. Suryakumar is also among the first names in a first-choice India XI in the format.Related

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The T20Is in Sri Lanka will be India’s first assignment under new coach Gautam Gambhir, who takes over from Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup. It’s also seen as the first step towards building for the next T20 World Cup which India is set to co-host in 2026.A young Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, just returned from Zimbabwe earlier in the week after completing a 4-1 T20I series win. The squad included just three players from the side that won the World Cup.It is understood that the selectors will meet on Wednesday to finalise the touring party. Along with three T20Is, the tour will feature three ODIs.

Australia’s wicketkeeper says the team won’t be lulled into trying to match England shot for shot

Andrew McGlashan04-May-20235:28

Moody: It’s going to be a challenge for Warner, others to deal with the Duke ball

Stuart Broad would like nothing more than to have Steven Smith caught at mid-off, but Alex Carey does not believe that Australia will be drawn into trying match England’s aggressive style when the Ashes commences next month.Broad’s recent comments kicked-up the traditional pre-Ashes chat a few levels and will be followed this week by Smith beginning his short stint with Sussex. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has called for “flat, fast” pitches to aid England’s scoring rate while there was a report that the boundaries could also be pulled in.Related

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There are still six weeks to go before the opening match at Edgbaston and before then Australia have the small matter of trying to topple India in the World Test Championship final, but Bazball will continue to dominate the lead-up.”We’ve heard some stuff in the media what the wickets might be like, the boundaries etc, [and] the way [England] are playing at the moment it is eye-catching,” Carey told radio. “I’d like to think we aren’t surprised now [with] the way they’ll come out and play.”The tactical stuff will start to take place over the next couple of weeks but I don’t see us falling into our batters going out and trying to score the same rate. We’ll do it differently, we’ve had some serious success in the last 18-24 months playing the style we want to play in different conditions and lucky enough to be rewarded with a spot in the World Test Championship [final]. So we are excited to come over to their backyard and take on a team that’s playing some really eye-catching cricket. As a player it’s going to be hot contest and I’m smiling just thinking about that first Test.”Alex Carey made a County Championship appearance for Sussex during the 2019 season•Getty Images

Carey is one of ten members of the Ashes squad who are currently in Australia with the others spread across the IPL and county cricket. Training will ramp up this month for those at home with a camp in Brisbane before they depart for the UK in late May, leaving around 10 days to prepare for the WTC final at The Oval on June 7.”We’ll all come together before that World Test Championship and have our focus solely on that game but with an eye to the first [Ashes] Test match,” Carey said.On a personal level, the tour will be Carey’s first experience of Test cricket in England having taken the Australia role at short notice ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes although he was very impressive during the 2019 ODI World Cup and scored his first one-day hundred there in 2020. He has a small amount of first-class experience in the country having played one match for Sussex in 2019 where he made 56 and 69 not out then was drafted into the Ashes squad to keep wicket in a tour match against Derbyshire.Carey, who scored a maiden Test century against South Africa at the MCG last season, is confident of being able to adjust his game to conditions as required but admitted that the wicketkeeping could provide some challenges with the ‘wobble’ that can often happen to the red Dukes ball when it passes the batter.”It’s hard to train [for] the wobble that we as keepers know comes down and we make it look a bit silly at times if we don’t get a hand on it,” he said. “For me, just staying really open-minded knowing there’ll be days when it doesn’t look pretty…you see some of the techniques of the English keepers and it’s completely different to the Aussies.”I think adapting as quickly as I can when I get over there, hopefully will have some centre-wickets and catch a few balls from our bowlers, then from there hopefully just react well enough that if one does wobble that I move to that, see it and catch it. But it’s a really good point and probably something as cricket fans you expect the wicketkeepers to make it look easy at times, but it wobbles down and you are like ‘what are you doing’ but it’s all part of the fun.”

Visitors caught on the hop after dominating on flat deck in warm-up match

Matt Roller23-Jan-2022Eoin Morgan was frustrated by England’s failure to adapt to conditions at Kensington Oval in their nine-wicket defeat to West Indies in the first of five T20 internationals, on a pitch with variable bounce.England had posted 231 in their only warm-up game against a BCA President’s XI on a pitch that Jason Roy – who hit a 36-ball hundred – described as “massively flat”. However, they were bowled out for 103 on Saturday night, and even that total represented something of a recovery after they had slumped to 29 for 5 and 49 for 7, with Jason Holder enjoying conditions on his home pitch.Holder found some steepling bounce from a good length with the new ball but several deliveries kept very low, while Akeal Hosein, the left-arm spinner, got the ball to turn away sharply from the outside edge of England’s right-handers.”[They were] actually the opposite conditions to the wicket that we played on two or three days ago,” Morgan said. “West Indies dominated the game early on: we lost early wickets [and] we didn’t seem to adapt well enough in running, which is what you have to do when challenged like that with movement and a bit of bounce.Related

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“We’ll have to come back tomorrow, fresh gameplan, try and execute it better, because I think conditions have a chance of being very similar. It was something that we spoke about pre-game: when we come to the West Indies, probably more so in Barbados and one other island – St Lucia – there’s a little bit more bounce.”The only thing we found tricky today [was that it] wasn’t that consistent. But again, trying to get that mindset around risk-reward, we found a challenge today. Hopefully we’ll come back better tomorrow and rectify that.”England were asked to bat first after Kieron Pollard won the toss but Morgan admitted that he would have chosen to do so himself. He has not chosen to bat first in a T20 international since 2016 and while England have been among the world’s strongest chasing teams, their inexperience batting first contributed to their semi-final defeat against New Zealand at last year’s World Cup.Sunday night’s game will be played on a different strip but England are expecting it to play in a similar way, offering the bowlers something throughout both innings. It remains to be seen if Liam Livingstone has recovered sufficiently from a mild illness (England clarified it was not Covid-related) to take part, but Liam Dawson, who stepped in as a spin-bowling allrounder in his first T20I since 2018, said that the short turnaround was a positive.”I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “We’ve got an opportunity tomorrow night to learn from tonight and put it right, and get a win on the board. All the boys will be really excited to go again tomorrow.”We knew it wasn’t going to be a belter. Looking back if we’d have got 130-140, it would potentially have been a completely different game. Going into tomorrow, we’re going to have to learn and maybe take our time a little bit more and put a score on the board.”It wasn’t very dewy out there at all. Conditions didn’t really change to be honest; I think we just didn’t get enough runs on the board for us to win. I think batting first could be the way going forward, and putting a score on the board.”

CSA, as of Thursday evening, is no longer operational and is under investigation

Firdose Moonda10-Sep-2020Cricket South Africa’s board and senior executives including acting CEO Kugandrie Govender have been instructed to step aside by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), which is the controlling body for all high-performance sport in South Africa. SASCOC will now appoint a task team to conduct an investigation into the affairs at CSA. The panel will make findings and recommendations to SASCOC and CSA’s Members’ Council within one month of the finalisation of the members of the task team.Along with Govender, company secretary Welsh Gwaza and acting chief commercial officer Thamie Mthembu will no longer be involved in the day-to-day running of CSA. That means that as things stand on Thursday evening, there is no one in charge of the operational running of cricket in South Africa.CSA, in a statement issued on Friday morning said it “does not agree” with the decision and will be taking legal advice on “the basis on which SASCOC has sought to intervene in the business affairs of CSA.” Despite that, CSA has committed to engaging with SASCOC to “find common ground with it in the best interests of cricket.” CSA’s Board and Members Council will hold a workshop this weekend to “discuss critical matters.”SASCOC took the decision unanimously at a board meeting on Tuesday because of what it said are “the many instances of maladministration and malpractice,” at CSA which “has brought cricket into disrepute.”Whether SASCOC’s action constitutes government interference that goes against the ICC’s code of conduct is yet to be determined. The ICC have already received one complaint against CSA from the Institute for Race Relations who took issue with CSA’s affirmative action hiring policy.The SASCOC has taken action following “at least” nine months of CSA in crisis dating back to December last year, when former CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended. Moroe was fired last month on the basis of a forensic report which revealed “acts of serious misconduct.”However, CSA have not made the report available publicly or to SASCOC and even to its own Members’ Council (the body of the 14 provincial presidents) are understood to have had to sign non-disclosure agreements before viewing the report. SASCOC had demanded to see the report before CSA’s AGM, which was initially scheduled for September 5 but was postponed. CSA’s inability to produce the report to SASCOC as well as the spate of recent resignations including that of President Chris Nenzani and acting CEO Jacques Faul prompted SASCOC’s interest in further investigation into CSA, which it indicated had been uncooperative in explaining the myriad issues affecting the organisation.”SASCOC has attempted to address these issues in two meetings with the CSA Board: one was exploratory, and the other failed to take place mainly because of the fact that CSA failed to make the Fundudzi Forensic Report available to the SASCOC Board despite promises and undertakings by CSA to do so,” a SASCOC letter to CSA’s Members’ Council, seen by ESPNcricinfo said. “CSA is in receipt of our letter which records that the Board’s decision to make the said report available only on a limited basis to the President and Board members of SASCOC, is wholly unreasonable and irrational given the apparent nature and scope of the report.”As a result of not being able to access the full report, a task team will now conduct its own investigations into CSA’s administrative and/or financial affairs. The members of the task team are yet to be identified but when they are, the CSA board and all staff who have been directed to step aside will be expected to “assist the task team to execute its mandate, where necessary, when called upon to do so.”This leaves cricket in South Africa at an uncertain juncture, with no fixtures finalised for the coming season which is due to start imminently. Neither domestic nor international matches have been released with South Africa’s borders still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and a lockdown still in place. Though competitive matches can be played, CSA have yet to reveal any plans for the 2020-21 season apart from appointing a new high performance management staff earlier on Thursday.As of now, this will not affect South African players’ participation at the IPL or other competitions.

Ravi Rampaul stars for Derbyshire with second five-wicket haul of their campaign

ECB Reporters Network04-Jun-2019A fine spell of bowling from Gareth Harte has handed Durham control of their County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at Emirates Riverside.The home side were bowled out for 293 in their first innings, mustering their highest total in the Championship this season. Ravi Rampaul was the star man for Derbyshire, claiming his second five-wicket haul of the campaign. His team-mates made a bright start with the bat, reaching 83 without loss before Durham charged back into the contest.Harte made the decisive surge for the hosts, ripping through the line-up with a spell of 3 for 10 in the afternoon. Derbyshire were able to recover to a decent position of 181 for 6 before the rain ended day two prematurely, although they remain 112 runs behind their opponents’ first-innings score.Durham began the day on 254 for 8 with work ahead of them to achieve a third batting point. Matty Potts notched a couple of boundaries to make his way to 14 before he was bowled by an inswinging delivery from Tony Palladino. Ned Eckersley attempted to up the ante, scoring a brisk 26, but he ran out of partners when Rampaul removed Chris Rushworth. Rampaul ended with figures of 5 for 77, his best in first-class cricket for Derbyshire to bowl the home side out for 293.In response, the visiting openers came out with an attacking intent. Luis Reece and Godleman put Rushworth and Brydon Carse under pressure by scoring freely, picking up boundaries with regularity against the new ball. The pair reached their fifty partnership within 59 balls, handing their side a strong platform to build after the lunch break. Derbyshire continued to make inroads into Durham’s first-innings score before Ben Raine broke the partnership at 83 when Reece edged behind to Eckersley for 34.Raine claimed the vital scalp of Wayne Madsen before he could settle, edging behind to Eckersley without scoring. Godleman kept his team on course, notching a half-century from 79 deliveries. The Derbyshire captain worked his way to 66 before he became the first of Harte’s victims of the afternoon, missing a straight ball from the all-rounder.The dismissal of Godleman prompted a collapse in the middle order as the visitors fell from 117 for 2 to 128 for 6 in seven overs. Harte was the architect, bowling Tom Lace for 21, his decision to leave the ball resulting in him losing two stumps, and Harvey Hosein. Rushworth continued the onslaught as Alex Hughes edged to Cameron Bancroft at second slip, putting Durham in command.Matt Critchley and Leus du Plooy, batting down the order, led a spirited fightback. Critchley thwarted the attempts of the Durham bowlers to take complete command of the match. He held his discipline amid difficult conditions, and he was given a life on 28 when he was dropped at first slip by Alex Lees off a Rushworth delivery. Critchley and Du Plooy reached their fifty partnership before the rain came to end play on day two.

Rain is forecast in Colombo, and the teams must prepare themselves for what could be a stop-start contest

The Preview by Mohammad Isam13-Mar-2018

Big picture

The Nidahas Trophy hasn’t produced ground-breaking cricket yet but it has certainly provided a lot of drama. Even though India won comfortably against Sri Lanka on Monday, there was always a sense of tension that one more wicket could open up the game. Bangladesh provided their share of drama too over the weekend.What could tilt the next battle, between India and Bangladesh, could be confidence. Whichever side can retain belief within themselves could come out on top on the day.India have plenty of happy faces in their team after the hard-fought win over the home side. Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik finished off the tricky chase quietly, after Suresh Raina’s 15-ball 27 had stirred up the ground. The experienced Raina could have played himself in, given that India had already lost captain Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, but he did the exact opposite.Among the bowlers, too, India have much confidence. Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal varied their pace well, and so did Shardul Thakur who finished with four wickets. Jaydev Unadkat and Vijay Shankar played supporting roles.Bangladesh must have a buzzing dressing room too, having won in dramatic fashion against Sri Lanka. The fact that their previous highest successful chase was 166 has made the chase of 215 all the more special. Liton Das started in fine style before Tamim Iqbal took over the baton. Then Soumya Sarkar struck a few timely blows and Mushfiqur Rahim took over, finishing with an unbeaten 72 off 35 balls with some help from Mahmudullah.Bangladesh’s bowling could do better, however. Mehidy Hasan and Nazmul Islam will once again need to slow things down while Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain have to bowl well in the Powerplay and slog overs. Taskin Ahmed may have to give away his place after being below par.

Form guide

India: WWLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: WLLLL

In the spotlight

Shardul Thakur has used the knuckle-ball to great effect against Sri Lanka, picking up his first four-wicket haul in T20Is. He will once again have to ace those change-ups in the crucial overs, especially if the match is shortened by rain.Mustafizur Rahman has played the most T20s among the Bangladeshi bowlers in 2018, which means there remains a lot of dependence on him. He has taken four wickets in the Nidahas Trophy so far but was unable to stem the flow of runs against Sri Lanka.Associated Press

Team news

India made only one change in the previous game, replacing Rishabh Pant with KL Rahul, and barring any last-minute injuries, they are likely to go with the same XI.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 KL Rahul, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Vijay Shankar, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Jaydev UnadkatBangladesh are unlikely to change their winning line-up but there are strong question marks next to Sabbir Rahman and Taskin Ahmed after the Sri Lanka game. Ariful Haque and Abu Jayed could be options to consider.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Liton Das, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Sabbir Rahman/Ariful Haque, 7 Mehidy Hasan, 8 Mustafizur Rahman, 9 Taskin Ahmed/Abu Jayed, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Nazmul Islam

Pitch and conditions

Rain continues to be forecast in Colombo, with Bangladesh already talking about being mentally prepared for a stop-start game. The pitch is likely to remain the same, mostly batting-friendly.

Stats and trivia

• In Monday’s game against Sri Lanka, KL Rahul became the first Indian batsman to be out hit wicket in a T20I.
• Despite career economy rate of 9.74, Rubel Hossain remains one of the most reliable bowlers in T20s for Bangladesh.

Quotes

“The Indian bowlers made a lot of change of pace, especially their spinners. They found turn when they bowled it very slow. The pace bowlers have taken off the pace from the ball. We need to keep an eye on these things.”