The stage is set for a fiery clash in the Super Four as India take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night. With India riding high on confidence and Bangladesh eager to punch above their weight, fans are bracing for a contest that could shape the race to the final. The match begins at 8:00 PM IST under the lights in Dubai.
India: Ruthless and Unstoppable
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have looked like a well-oiled machine this tournament. They breezed through the group stage with wins over UAE, Pakistan, and Oman. That momentum carried into the Super Four, where they once again humbled Pakistan, chasing down 172 thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s sparkling 74 and Shubman Gill’s composed 47.
With their batting line-up firing and the bowlers exploiting Dubai’s sluggish conditions, India look set to continue their dominance. The only question is whether Bangladesh can find a way to stop this juggernaut.
Bangladesh: Hungry for an Upset
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have shown resilience. After an inconsistent start, they found form when it mattered most. Their Super Four opener saw them stun Sri Lanka with a well-paced chase of 169, anchored by Saif Hassan’s 61 and Towhid Hridoy’s 58.
Captain Litton Das, despite carrying a minor back strain, remains key at the top. But it’s their bowling—particularly Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters and the spin of Mahedi Hasan—that could trouble India if conditions play in their favour.
Head-to-Head: One-Sided History
The rivalry may have intensity, but the numbers tell a different story. In T20Is, India lead 16-1 over Bangladesh. The Tigers’ lone win came years ago, and since then India have only tightened their grip.
Dubai Pitch Report
The Dubai International Stadium pitch has been slow and tricky. Pacers get some help early on with the new ball, but as it ages, batting becomes easier under the lights. Spinners enjoy grip in the middle overs, making strike rotation vital. With dew expected, the toss-winning captain is likely to bowl first.
Probable Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Key Players to Watch
- Sanju Samson (India) – Has been in sizzling form against Bangladesh with 150 runs in just three innings, including a century.
- Hardik Pandya (India) – Loves playing the Tigers, boasting 219 runs and 7 wickets in T20Is against them.
- Litton Das (Bangladesh) – Aggressive at the top with 230 runs in 11 innings vs India, his strike rate could set the tone.
- Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – With his cutters on Dubai’s slow track, he could be Bangladesh’s trump card.
Records to Watch Out For
- Suryakumar Yadav needs 8 fours to complete 250 T20I fours.
- Hardik Pandya is 3 wickets away from 100 T20I wickets and 5 sixes away from a century of sixes.
- Sanju Samson is 70 runs short of 1000 T20I runs.
- Mustafizur Rahman needs 1 wicket to become Bangladesh’s all-time leading T20I wicket-taker.
The Big Picture
India walk into the contest as overwhelming favourites. They have the depth, the form, and the numbers on their side. But Bangladesh, buoyed by their win over Sri Lanka, will believe they can spring a surprise. If their spinners get on top and Mustafizur delivers at the death, the Tigers could turn this into a real contest.
For now, the script points towards India, but in T20 cricket, all it takes is one inspired performance to rewrite the story.
