India's Predicted XI for Bangladesh Match: Should India bring in R Ashwin for Shardul Thakur?

India take on Bangladesh in their fourth World Cup 2023 match on Thursday at the MCA Stadium in Pune. While the Men in Blue are aiming for their fourth consecutive win in the ICC event, the question doing rounds in every fan’s mind is: will the team make any changes to its lineup?

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If the team management’s word is considered then no changes are expected in Team India’s playing XI even if some feel it’s the right time for them to rotate a few players.

India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on the eve of the match said that the Indian cricket team is currently only interested in continuing the winning momentum which essentially means no changes.

“It is important to maintain the start. As of now, there is no discussion of rotation from our point of view. We want to carry this momentum to the next game as well,” Mhambrey said.

That leaves very little room for prediction, but given the number of left-handers in the Bangladesh team, India could play Ravichandran Ashwin. An off-spinner for all-rounder Shardul Thakur looks like the only area where India could make a change with all other players fit.

Some would feel it’s time to give Mohammed Siraj some rest and get Mohammed Shami into the playing. While it may not be a bad move, it looks impossible given what the bowling coach said.

“Honestly, it is never easy to see. But right now the conversations are on, we had a clear chat with him (Shami). Whenever we select a squad the message from us is clear that we pick a team we feel is the best for that wicket,” Mhambrey said.

“Sometimes you will miss out, someone like him is missing out, someone like Ash (Ravinchandran Ashwin) will miss out and I think that is the communication we had with him (and) we were very clear.

“It is a difficult decision, honestly we know with the quality that he brings to the team. It is difficult but we have to take the decision, we (can) only have eleven on the field,” he added.

MCA Stadium, Pune, Pitch Report

The average first innings score is 307 and 281 for the second innings at the stadium. The stats are a clear indication that Pune offers a pitch that is batting friendly. It’s an open stadium so you will have breeze coming in which will help the pacers at the start. Spin is expected to play a role but it is not going to be as friendly as Chennai.

India predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh predicted XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c)/ Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman