Former captain Sunil Gavaskar warned India against taking Bangladesh lightly when they meet in the cricket World Cup knock-out stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground March 19, saying their eastern neighbours are a dangerous side on current form.
India are certain to top Group B even before playing their final group league match against Zimbabwe in Auckland on Saturday and will play Group A fourth-placed side Bangladesh in the quarter-finals.
Gavaskar said Bangladesh, with a bit of luck, can beat any side in the tournament and India can take them lightly at their own peril.
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"India have beaten Bangladesh on many occasions earlier and so the Indians may be confident that they can do the same this time also. But, on current form, Bangladesh are a very dangerous side. Not only beating England, they ran very close to New Zealand today," Gavaskar said, referring to the Kiwis’ three-wicket win over Bangladesh with seven balls to spare in Hamilton on Friday.
"In the group league, if you lose one match, you can make a comeback in the next match, but in the knock-out stage one bad day will send you back home. With a bit of luck, I think, on current form Bangladesh are capable of beating any side. So India will do very well not to take Bangladesh lightly," he added.
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Talking about the strength of Bangladesh team, Gavaskar
said, "They are a very good batting side. Mahmudullah has been in good form. Then there is Shakib (Al Hasan), Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman.
"Today, against New Zealand, they did not have five regular bowlers due to injury. Despite that they put New Zealand in trouble. With five regular bowlers available, they will do even better," the former India captain told NDTV.
Gavaskar said he does not expect Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to make any changes in the team against Zimbabwe on Saturday, despite the side having already made it to the quarter-finals.
"Dhoni himself has said that he will continue with the same winning team unless there is a need for a player or players to take rest. I don't see that Dhoni will make any changes tomorrow against Zimbabwe," said Gavaskar.
He said with the not so big boundaries at the Eden Park they match may see many sixes.
"They have changed the pitch which is now in North-South direction from the earlier East-West facing direction. The straight boundaries have become shorter through side boundaries have become longer. So there is not much change and you can expect more sixes being hit and bowlers may struggle."
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