India vs Bangladesh Match Prediction: Who will win the 2nd T20I match?
Ever since the pitches have been relaid at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, matches have been nothing short of absolute run-fests. The 200-run mark was made a mockery of in the 2024 Indian Premier League, with the true batting surface and short boundaries making life miserable for the bowlers.
When India and Bangladesh lock horns in the second T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday, October 9, much of the same can be expected. The hosts, with their power-packed batting lineup and X-factors across the bowling unit, won't mind that too much. The Bangla Tigers, however, might be dreading the possibility of another one-sided loss.
India have beaten Bangladesh in 14 of their 15 T20I meetings. Their only loss came at this venue in 2019 when a disappointing all-round effort ended in a successful chase for the visitors. Mahmudullah, currently playing his last T20I series, was unbeaten on 15 off 7 in that game and will hope for an encore.
Can India continue to blood in their next generation of players and seal the three-match series? Or will Bangladesh show some fight and push the rubber into a decider?
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Needless to say, India are the obvious favorites for this encounter. They have significantly more batting firepower and more threat in the bowling department. The Men in Blue even have more bowling options than the Tigers, in a welcome change.
Realistically, how can Bangladesh fashion a win? Litton Das needs to show some application at the top of the order, with his shot selection going from bad to worse in recent times. He needs support from Parvez Hossain Emon and Najmul Hossain Shanto, with both playing a few nice shots without going on in the first T20I.
Rishad Hossain will hold the key for Bangladesh with the ball, and bringing in Tanzim Hasan Sakib might not be the worst idea for the visitors. Either way, it's hard to see how they will be able to pick up enough wickets at a quick enough rate to trouble the Indian batting unit.
While anything can happen in a game of cricket, the odds are stacked heavily against Bangladesh. India can be expected to seal the second T20I by a comfortable margin, with the venue playing into their hands.
Prediction: India to win the 2nd T20I vs Bangladesh.