New Delhi:
India shall be locking horns with Bangladesh in the grand finale of the Nidahas T20 Trophy on Sunday. The title clash between the South Asian rivals is set to commence at 7:00 pm (IST) at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Rohit Sharma-led 'Men in Blue' have been the dominant team of the T20 Tri series winning all their games except the tourney opener against Sri Lanka.
The Indian batting has fired on all cylinders with their batting efforts led by opener Shikhar Dhawan who has been their top run scorer in the tourney so far. Skipper Rohit Sharma who looked lackluster in the opening games has got back to form. Meanwhile, the middle order has delivered with Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik get runs consistently for the team.
The bowling attack boasting of youngsters like Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur have consistently picked up wickets for the side in the absence of seasoned campaigners in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been the pick of the bowlers once again casting a web around the opposition's batting order.
India's opponent in the finals Bangladesh has surprised many critics by making it to the title clash. Bangladesh has forged two impressive wins against Sri Lanka including the last clash which resulted in an emotional clash between the players.
Bangladesh had a dream run to the finals courtesy their batting unit which has fired collectively. Openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das have given the team the much required breezy starts followed by good contributions by their well established middle order.
Nidahas Trophy Final: India vs Bangladesh
When: March 18 (Sunday), 7 PM Local
Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What to expect: A 50 percent chance of thundershowers during late afternoon and early evening. But the fact that the worst-hit game in the series due to rain was a 19-overs-a-side affair, is an encouraging sign.
Team News:
India
Jaydev Unadkat was back bowling at full tilt, and should be in for Mohammad Siraj as the only change for the final.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (w), Vijay Shankar, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal
Bangladesh
It's unlikely Bangladesh will tinker with the combination that gave them a fascinating win over Sri Lanka and took them a step closer to the series victory.
Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam
Stats:
#This will be the eighth T20 between these teams, India have claimed victory in each of their previous seven clashes with Bangladesh.
#India has been victorious in nine of their 11 outings at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo; winning each of their last three at the venue.
