It’s going to be a high-voltage clash between the two Asian neighbours India and Bangladesh in the second semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium in Birmingham on June 15. Team India topped their Group B after registering two victories out of three games they played. While, Bangladesh ended their Group A encounters with second position.
On the eve of the high-octane semi-final against Bangladesh, Indian skipper Virat Kohli hinted at retaining the same playing XI as he couldn’t afford to take any chances in a must-win game. Team India are the defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Earlier ahead of the start of the tournament, Virat Kohli & Co. thrashed Bangladesh by 240 runs in a warm-up match, thanks to pacers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for picking 3-wicket haul each.
Time for ODI No.300 – Here’s @YUVSTRONG12 speaking about his landmark ahead of the semi-final against Bangladesh #CT17 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/S6Z8gkvVJn
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2017
Asked about playing Bangladesh in the semi-finals to that Virat Kohli said: “We are going to treat it like how we treated the last game and our mindset does not differ.”
“We have been in these kinds of games quite a few times before but there are no guarantees in this sport. We have seen during the league stages itself that a lot of teams have surprised the opposition. We are not, certainly not, taking anything for granted. We will use whatever momentum we have gained in the tournament to execute in the match,” he added.
During the press conference he termed Bangladesh a “very dangerous” side. “It’s no surprise that they are doing really well and have improved their cricket. Credit to their set-up and the kind of players who are taking more responsibility. They are a very dangerous side on their day. No one can take their opposition for granted and Bangladesh have taken huge strides,” Kohli said.
While on the other hand, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has said that his team will take the semi-final clash against India like any other match and there won’t be any added pressure on his team.
“There is always big hype surrounding the semi-final matches but we have to stick to our game. We cannot think that it is India whom we are coming up against and take extra pressure. It could have been any other side. We just have to play good cricket,” said the Bangladesh skipper in the pre-match post conference.
“Past records don’t matter in a match of this magnitude and tomorrow is a new day. We are just concentrating on this match and we will try to play at our best,” he added.
Interestingly, this is for the first time in their history that Bangladesh have managed to make it through to the last four of an ICC tournament.
PREVIEW: Hear from some of the key players ahead of #BANvIND! #CT17 pic.twitter.com/eWwwZeZgAr
— ICC (@ICC) June 15, 2017
The match will start at 15.00 IST and the toss between the two would be held at 14.30 IST.
