Confident ‘Bangla-Tigers’ will go for the kill

June 21, 2015 can turn out to be a historic day for Bangladesh cricket. On this day the ‘Bangla-Tigers’ will take field to win their maiden One-Day International (ODI) series against the the big brothers, India. Sandipan Banerjee previews Bangladesh’s chances in this game.

In Bangladesh, Sunday is a working day. But on June 21 the entire nation will probably come to a standstill, for this is no ordinary Sunday. The nation has waited a long time for this moment. Eleven Bengali cricketers will take field for the ultimate prize — beating India in an ODI series straight forward. PREVIEW: India vs Bangladesh, 2nd ODI at Mirpur

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Unlike before, they have a genuine chance this time. Let us find out why.

Winning streak: At home, Bangladesh are currently undefeated in their last nine ODIs. Just before this series, they have ‘Bangla-washed’ Pakistan in a three-ODI series. As they say, winning is a great habit; it can do wonders to a team. For Bangladesh, that is exactly what is happening. Mustafizur Rahman: Another example of Bangladesh’s growing pool of international talent

In-form Batting:  Of late (since ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Bangladesh batsmen have been in terrific form. Senior players like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have taken up the responsibility. Even juniors like Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain have provided excellent helping hands. Sarkar, especially, has been a revelation. He had impressed everyone with his strokeplay in the first ODI. He is capable of repeating that, or even bettering it. The Indian bowlers are expected to have a difficult task of taming this in-from and fearless batting line-up. READ: Bangladesh fans jubilant following win against India

Bowling — the surprise factor: Since the World Cup, Bangladesh bowling, especially pace, has been surprise factor for many teams. Their pace attack has variety and speed. Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed can hit the deck really hard. They are well-backed up by disciplined and wicket-to-wicket bowling by Mashrafe Mortaza and the slow yet deadly cutters of young Mustafizur Rahman who had a dream debut in 1st ODI. Let us also not forget the spin brigade led by Shakib.  READ: Mohammed Aamer is my idol, says Mustafizur Rahman

Rustiness of the India team: The Indian team looked rusty and complacent in the first ODI. Some bowlers failed to pitch the ball in the right areas and overdid the short ball, which gave ample opportunities for the Bangladesh batsmen to play across the line. This was a clear indication that they did not do proper homework. They were probably overconfident to boot, as some of the strokes revealed. Virat Kohli‘s lack of runs in international cricket of late is also a major worry for the Indian team management. READ: Bangladesh outclass India by record margin of 79 runs in 1st ODI

It indeed seems that the odds are stacked against India at this moment. Though tigers are tameable, the man-eaters are certainly not. Bangladesh have tasted blood. It is time to go for the kill.

(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)