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A run-fest was expected in the second T20I between India and Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. While the wicket wasn't as batting-friendly as people thought it would be, India delivered on the promise to amass a big total of 221. The Tigers were never really in the hunt in the chase, meaning they officially lost the three-match series.
Heading into the third T20I, much of the same is expected. While rain is on the forecast, with showers expected intermittently throughout the game, the pitch in Hyderabad is expected to be a belter. And Bangladesh, who have talked up wanting to have a new approach to their batting, will have mixed feelings about that.
The Men in Blue, meanwhile, will have an eye on resting and rotating ahead of an important series against Ireland next month. They have four talented players on the bench, each of whom has cases to be part of the XI. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has been vocal about wanting to not take the foot off the pedal, meaning that a 3-0 scoreline is the only thing that will satisfy the home side.
India are the obvious favorites for this encounter, having beaten Bangladesh in 15 of their 16 T20I meetings. Can they continue in the same vein and seal a whitewash? Or will Najmul Hossain Shanto and company come up with a defiant performance to round off the assignment?
IND vs BAN 2024: India look to seal whitewash
Bangladesh's main problem seems to lie in their batting unit. While Litton Das hasn't delivered on his promise and come up with meaningful knocks in the powerplay, the likes of Parvez Hossain Emon and Najmul Hossain Shanto have gotten off to starts without converting them. The talented Towhid Hridoy has been off the pace as well in this series so far.
In Mahmudullah's last T20I, can Bangladesh come up with a team effort to counter the Indian bowling unit? It's hard to see them doing so, even though they have plenty of talent in that department. It's also hard to see which changes they can ring in to make their bowling stronger, with India's batters finding it all too easy to clear the boundaries so far in the rubber.
Not much needs to be said about this contest. Bangladesh are outmatched in both departments, and the home side can be expected to pick up a comfortable win. Assuming, of course, that the rain allows it.
Prediction: India to win the 3rd T20I vs Bangladesh.
