The Indian team is currently playing fearless cricket but has been successful in scaring the daylights out of the opposition, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said ahead of their World Cup game against the hosts.
While Bangladesh have lost back-to-back games after winning the opener, India are on a roll having recorded a hat-trick of victories.
“I think they have covered every area. They got strike bowlers up front. Bumrah has almost come to his best, as good as we have seen in the past. They have good, experienced spinners going in the middle overs. And their batting, especially the top order is firing and it’s scary the way they are playing at this stage without much fear,” Hathurusingha said on the eve of the match in Pune on Wednesday.
Enjoyment is key recipe for success of any team and Indian team is no exception, said the former Sri Lankan international.
“It looks like they are enjoying their cricket at the moment and their home World Cup, and there is a lot of support,” he added.
On the mend after sustaining a left quadriceps niggle, Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan has hada good net session in the nets but Hathurusingha insisted that the star all-rounder will only play the World Cup game against India if he feels fully fit.
“He (Shakib) had a good batting session yesterday. He did a bit of running between the wickets as well. We are waiting for the result of the scan we did today. We haven’t tried his bowling yet. We will assess him tomorrow morning, and make a decision,” Hathurusingha said.
“If he is not ready to play, we won’t risk it. If he is ready, there’s a chance of him playing tomorrow (Thursday),” the coach added.
“First it is the medical staff who gives us their opinion. They give the green or red light. They give us the indication where the player is. If they think it is not risky, the player is given the choice of playing the game or not. It comes to the captain and coach whether they want the player or not. If he is wanted in one or both disciplines,” he added.
Bangladesh have defeated India thrice in their last four ODI meetings over the last few months but it will have no bearing on the World Cup league stage game to be played on Thursday, Hathurusingha said.
