Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023 | Hathurusinghe: We'll play Shakib only if he's fully fit

Bangladesh have tapered away after defeating Afghanistan in their opener. Heavy defeats to England and New Zealand have dented their hopes but maybe they will be energised at the sight of India. They have run India close in World Cup games of both varieties in the last few years, starting with the T20 World Cup fixture in Bangalore in 2016 when they threw away a winning position and settled for a heartbreaking one-run loss. 

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They aren’t unaware that man for man, India are comfortably the stronger outfit. But if they need inspiration, they needn’t look beyond their skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who plotted India’s sensational downfall in the corresponding tournament in the Caribbean in 2007. There were some question marks over Shakib’s availability, reports indicated he had sustained a quadricep injury. But he batted for nearly an hour on Tuesday and went through fielding drills unhindered and is almost certain to walk out for the toss with Rohit. Shakib has been a thorn in India’s side several times in the past and will look to reprise some of those heroics to haul his side back into contention.

World Cup debut for Gahunje

The first game of the World Cup at this venue could produce runs galore. Pune lies 1,840 feet above sea level, the surface has the not-unfounded reputation of facilitating attacking stroke-play and the boundaries aren’t terribly long. All of these indicate that like in the last two matches, India could stick with Shardul Thakur at No. 8, though a case can still be made for the value of having experienced off-spinner R Ashwin in the mix. Shubman Gill, who returned to action against Pakistan, had a long hit on Wednesday afternoon, seeking to rediscover the touch that has netted him five hundreds and nearly 1,250 ODI runs this calendar year.