Cricket
Who Will Win IPL 2023: Odds and Predictions?
The much-anticipated 16th season of the Indian Premier League will commence on March 31, fighting all ten franchises against one another in a thrilling race to the desired title. Only seven teams have successfully become champions in the past 15 years of IPL, with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings being the most prominent.
Four teams have won the IPL title once: Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, the now-defunct Deccan Chargers, and the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals. The Royals almost won the IPL for the second time last year. On the other hand, no IPL trophy has been grabbed by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants, the four active teams in the league.
So, who may win this year's IPL? Let’s find out some of the former players’ predictions and our predictions about the probable winner of IPL 2023.
Read More: IPL 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Top Favorite Teams Who Can Win IPL 2023
As the tournament progresses, predictions can no longer remain the same. We may take an educated guess based on a team's performance, but nothing is certain. With that note, we have come out with four teams with a great chance of winning the IPL 2023.
Gujarat Titans
The Gujarat Titans, the winner of IPL 2022, had a very consistent roster, using fewer players than any other side. They had one of the toughest and most well-rounded bowling squads in the tournament, with a variety of options to choose from in any situation. Their death-overs economy rate was the lowest of the competition, at an astonishing 9.6.
Hardik Pandya, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatiya provided invaluable assistance to the team, their persistence in difficult moments earning them victories in unlikely circumstances. These players will be an asset for Gujarat this year. In addition to that, they have bought some highly skilled players such as Shivam Mavi, Joshua Little, and Kane Williamson.
Read More: Four Bangladeshi Cricketers to Compete in IPL 2023 Auction
Kane Williamson was drafted in by the Gujarat-based side to boost the top order, although questions regarding his health and run rate remain.
Gujarat’s possible starting lineup may look like this:
Shubhman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Matthew Wade, Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatiya, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohammad Shami, Alzarri Joseph
Gujarat players who can change the momentum:
Shivam Mavi, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Jayant Yadav.
At the Wankhede Stadium, where bowlers can take advantage of the swinging and seaming conditions in the early stages, Gujarat Titans may be drawn to utilize Mavi, Dayal, or Sangwan as influential individuals based on the competition. Meanwhile, Jayant could be a great help on pitches that are slower, particularly in the Powerplay, as he could provide economical overs.
Read More: ‘More experienced’ Chandika aims to find own game plan
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians supporters would likely prefer to put last season aside when they finished at the bottom of the standings. However, they have been able to acquire the services of two very promising players, Dewald Brevis, and Tilak Verma.
The IPL auction 2023 saw a strong bidding war for Cameron Green, who was eventually acquired by Mumbai Indians for 17.50 crores. With Jofra Archer back in the team and forming a bowling partnership with Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians have a strong attack that can challenge any batting lineup.
Mumbai Indians’ possible starting lineup may look like this:
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Cameron Green, Jofra Archer, Hrithik Shokeen, Kumar Kartikeya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Jason Behrendorff.
Read More: IPL 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Mumbai players who can change the momentum:
Piyush Chawla, Arjun Tendulkar, Arshad Khan, and Vishnu Vinod.
The fact that MI re-signed Piyush Chawla in the auction pointed to one thing: the desire to use his leg-spin for four overs as a game-changing element, something that might not have been possible otherwise.
Arjun and Arshad could be of great benefit when encountering right-arm fast bowlers or batting orders vulnerable to left-arm bowlers. Vishnu Vinod, a powerful hitter, can be employed in close matches where teams are required to bolster their batting.
Read More: BAN vs ENG Series 2023: Bangladesh ODI Squad Analysis
Chennai Super Kings
Apparently, it is Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last IPL. So, he will surely try to make it memorable by winning the tournament. Chennai, four-time IPL title holders, had a disastrous campaign last year, limping to a ninth-place finish with only four victories.
Chennai supporters are eagerly anticipating the return of the traditional home-and-away format this year, hoping their team will be stronger in their home ground Chepauk, restoring its former glory and making it a solid stronghold.
The team invested 16.25 crore in acquiring Ben Stokes, who will bring both tangible and intangible benefits to the squad. There is even speculation that MS Dhoni might be handing over the captaincy reigns to Stokes.
Read More: BAN vs ENG Series 2023: Key ODI Records, Who Holds Advantage in Records So Far
Chennai Super Kings' possible starting lineup may look like this:
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dubey, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Mahesh Theekshana, and Mukesh Chaudhary
Chennai players who can change the momentum:
Simarjit Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Prashant Solanki, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
It should not come as a surprise if Dhoni opts to replace Prashant Solanki as a game-changer, even though Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja are already in the XI at Chepauk, where spin is often used to attack batsmen.
On the other hand, Simarjit and Deshpande are likely to be taken out of the game if any of the bowlers give up too many runs. Hangargekar is likely to serve as a pinch hitter, willing to sacrifice his wicket for the team's benefit and swing his bat hard when needed.
Read More: Bangladesh vs England ODI Series 2023 Preview: Schedule, Fixtures, Team
Rajasthan Royals
IPL’s first-season winner and IPL 2022’s runners-up, Rajasthan Royals, will certainly put their best to bring the trophy back after 15 years. Nevertheless, they were very close last year. Despite their amazing performance last year, there was a definite imbalance on their side. To accommodate five true bowlers, they were always lacking a batting contributor.
In order to address the problem, the Royals acquired Jason Holder, whose presence alongside Trent Boult is sure to have a substantial impact on bouncy surfaces. His powerful hitting also makes him an integral part of the team.
Rajasthan Royals' possible starting lineup may look like this: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Paddikal, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmeyer, Jason Holder, Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Read More BAN vs ENG Series 2023: England Squad Analysis
Rajasthan players who can change the momentum:
Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Murugan Ashwin, and Akash Vashist.
Considering Kuldeep's speed and the shortage of competent choices in their team, Rajasthan may decide to utilize him as a lethal death bowler through the Impact Player rule. Rajasthan will be able to keep the middle overs in check if they call on Navdeep or Murugan Ashwin, depending on the nature of the pitch; the former as a hit-the-deck bowler and the latter as a spinner. Vashist is a left-hander; he will be especially useful in countering the opposition's strategies.
So, among the four teams, who do you think has the best chance to take the IPL trophy to their home?
Well, it is tough to predict this very early. But, considering the facts and their players' profile, Gujarat may keep the title to their home this year.
Read More: England Men's Cricket Team Arrives Dhaka for White Ball Series
England Men's Cricket Team Arrives Dhaka for White Ball Series
The England men's cricket team landed in Dhaka on Friday morning for their first tour of Bangladesh since 2016.
The tour, which was originally scheduled for September and October 2021 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, consists of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in Dhaka and Chattogram.
England captain Jos Buttler, who stated in December 2022 that he was looking forward to leading the world champions in Bangladesh, a country where they have not won an ODI series since 2010. He anticipates a challenging contest from the hosts.
The Bangladesh team has already begun preparations for the series starting on March 1 in Dhaka. Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh in the ODI series, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) having already announced the squad for the contest.
Also Read: BAN vs ENG Series 2023: England Squad Analysis
Chandika Hathurusingha will be coaching the Bangladesh team during the series. BCB reappointed Hathurusingha as the head coach for a two-year period following the departure of Russell Domingo. Hathurusingha will be in charge of all three formats of the game and expressed his happiness at returning to Bangladesh, hoping to continue his good work with the team.
The first two ODIs will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on March 1 and 3, with the third ODI taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on March 6. All the ODIs will begin at 2:30 PM local time.
The T20I series will start on March 9 at Chattogram, followed by two more matches on March 12 and 14 in Dhaka. All T20Is will begin at 6:00 PM local time.
Ganguly in Dhaka after 9 years, fascinated by warm hospitality
Former Indian cricket team captain and ex-president of BCCI, Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as Dada in Dhaka, made a private visit to the city on Thursday after several years. Ganguly's visit reignited his long-standing fascination with Bangladesh, and he expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality of his friends in Dhaka.
Speaking to the media in hotel in Dhaka's Gulshan, Ganguly said: "Every time I come here, I get so much love from the people of Dhaka. I sometimes forget if it's India or Bangladesh."
He visited Dhaka to inaugurate a cricket event organized by the Dhaka North City Corporation.
Ganguly's relationship with Bangladesh dates back to 1989 when he played for the U-19 team in the Asia Cup. Since then, he has built many friendships with people in Bangladesh.
The former left-handed batter was India's captain in Bangladesh's maiden Test in 2000. "Many precious moments of my life are in Bangladesh," the former Indian captain said.
During his visit, Ganguly emphasized the significance of sports and music in the lives of young people, urging them to stay connected to these activities and avoid drugs.
Ganguly said the Prime Minister of Bangladesh's efforts to create a drug-free nation and stated that sports can play a vital role in achieving this goal.
Ganguly also noted the many changes he saw in Dhaka since his last visit nine years ago, praising the city's development and urging young people to be a part of it.
BCB announces search for new assistant coach for Tigers
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its search for a new assistant coach for the national cricket team.
BCB President Nazmul Hasan said they are expecting applications from local coaches as well.
The BCB recently appointed Chandika Hathurusinghe as the head coach of the Bangladesh team for the second time, following his initial tenure from 2014 to 2017.
After confirming Hathurusinghe's appointment, the BCB has been actively searching for an assistant coach.
"We have been looking for an assistant to Chandika," Nazmul told the media on Wednesday. "We have issued a notice. And we encourage local coaches to apply for this post. We really want someone from the local coaching community to take up this role."
The BCB will assign a local coach for other posts if it does not find a suitable assistant coach from local applicants, Nazmul said.
Hathurusinghe, who spoke to the media for the first time in his second stint as the national team coach of Bangladesh, said he is looking forward to developing a game plan that will suit the Bangladesh team better.
The 54-year-old coach also acknowledged that the Bangladesh team has demonstrated their strength in ODIs over the years, but still need to improve their performance in longer and shorter versions.
During Hathurusinghe's first tenure, the Bangladesh team achieved historic success in ODIs, including a memorable victory against England in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and successful home series against Pakistan, India, and South Africa.
In the same period, Bangladesh also registered Test wins against England and Australia at home.
The Bangladesh team is currently gearing up to face England in a home series that comprises three ODIs and three T20Is, scheduled to begin on March 1 in Dhaka.
‘More experienced’ Chandika aims to find own game plan
Chandika Hathurasingha, who took on the role of Bangladesh's head coach for the second time, said he would focus more on finding a better game plan for the Bangladesh team.
He addressed the media on Wednesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium — his first interaction with reporters in his new role.
Chandika, who is more experienced compared to his previous stint as he judged himself, spoke about his excitement and motivation for the challenges ahead.
Chandika said in his new stint as Bangladesh coach he is more focused on developing Bangladesh’s game plan in Test and T20Is.
“Test cricket is very competitive. T20 is more popular now. So we have to find our own game plan accordingly. As a nation, we know how to play ODI cricket. We need to do well in other formats as well,” he said.
Chandika left Bangladesh in 2017, finishing a four-year tenure as the Tigers’ head coach. But he always kept an eye on Bangladesh cricket.
“I have always had a soft corner for Bangladesh cricket. I wanted to come back to Bangladesh someday," he said.
“Many players have been playing well for Bangladesh. Young players have also come up and have been doing well. So being with that team is always great,” he added, explaining his motivation to rejoin the Bangladesh team.
Chandika plans to observe the players in the upcoming series and is relying on the opinions of other members to get a more comprehensive idea about the team. He is also focused on creating a good combination for the team in the upcoming ICC events, including a 50-over World Cup this year.
The senior players have been performing well for Bangladesh, and Chandika said he doesn't see their roles changing much in his new tenure. He believes that with his increased experience and better understanding of Bangladesh cricket, along with the support of local coaches, he will be able to guide the team forward.
Chandika jokingly added, when he was asked if he is going to change as a coach this time, that he is a bit older this time compared to his previous stint as Bangladesh's coach.
The 54-year-old coach spoke fondly of the rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka teams that emerged largely when he was coach of Sri Lanka.
Right after he had left Bangladesh in 2017, BCB President Nazmul Hasan said that Chandika questioned Shakib Al Hasan’s commitment for the team. And now, Chandika will have to work with Shakib who is the captain in ODIs and T20Is.
When he was asked about the same, Chandika chose to play safe, saying he is not aware of the comments of BCB president.
Bangladesh team is now gearing up for the England series for a three match ODI and three match T20Is at home starting from March 1.
IPL 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
The Indian Premier League known as IPL is one of the most popular and eagerly-awaited sporting events in the world. The upcoming season of the IPL is set to begin on March 31, 2023, and is commonly referred to as IPL 16 or Tata IPL 2023 due to sponsorship reasons. This will mark the sixteenth season of the professional Twenty20 cricket league, which was first established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) back in 2007. The tournament will begin with the Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titan match. This article will cover the schedule, fixtures, venues, and team list of IPL 2023.
IPL 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
IPL brings together some of the best cricketers from around the world to compete in a high voltage T20 format, which is known for its excitement and entertainment value. As the schedule is published, fans have already started countdown the inauguration.
Read More: Chandika Hathurasingha takes over as head coach of Bangladesh cricket
Schedule and Fixtures of IPL 2023
The 2023 IPL will start on March 31 and end on May 21. There will be 70 matches in total.
Date
Time (BD)
Home Team
Away Team
Venue
March 31
8:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Chennai Super Kings
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
April 1
4:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
April 1
8:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Delhi Capitals
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 2
4:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rajasthan Royals
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
April 2
8:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Mumbai Indians
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
April 3
8:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Lucknow Super Giants
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 4
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Gujarat Titans
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
April 5
8:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Punjab Kings
Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati
April 6
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
April 7
8:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Sunrisers Hyderabad
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 8
4:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Delhi Capitals
Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati
April 8
8:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
April 9
4:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Kolkata Knight Riders
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
April 9
8:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Punjab Kings
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
April 10
8:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Lucknow Super Giants
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
April 11
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Mumbai Indians
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
April 12
8:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 13
8:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Gujarat Titans
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
April 14
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
April 15
4:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Delhi Capitals
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
April 15
8:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Punjab Kings
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 16
4:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Kolkata Knight Riders
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
April 16
8:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Rajasthan Royals
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
April 17
8:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Chennai Super Kings
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
April 18
8:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Mumbai Indians
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
April 19
8:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Lucknow Super Giants
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
April 20
4:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
April 20
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Kolkata Knight Riders
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
April 21
4:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Sunrisers Hyderabad
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 22
4:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Gujarat Titans
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 22
8:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
April 23
4:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rajasthan Royals
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
April 23
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Chennai Super Kings
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
April 24
8:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Delhi Capitals
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
April 25
8:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Mumbai Indians
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
April 26
8:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Kolkata Knight Riders
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
April 27
8:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Chennai Super Kings
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
April 28
8:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Lucknow Super Giants
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
April 29
4:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Gujarat Titans
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
April 29
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
April 30
4:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Punjab Kings
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 30
8:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Rajasthan Royals
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
May 1
8:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Royal Challengers Bangalore
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
May 2
8:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Delhi Capitals
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
May 3
8:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Mumbai Indians
Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
May 4
4:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Chennai Super Kings
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
May 4
8:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Kolkata Knight Riders
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
May 5
8:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Gujarat Titans
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
May 6
4:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Mumbai Indians
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
May 6
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
May 7
4:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Lucknow Super Giants
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
May 7
8:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
May 8
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab Kings
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
May 9
8:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
May 10
8:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Delhi Capitals
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
May 11
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Rajasthan Royals
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
May 12
8:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Gujarat Titans
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
May 13
4:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Lucknow Super Giants
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
May 13
8:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Punjab Kings
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
May 14
4:00 PM
Rajasthan Royals
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
May 14
8:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
May 15
8:00 PM
Gujarat Titans
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
May 16
8:00 PM
Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai Indians
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
May 17
8:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Delhi Capitals
May 18
8:00 PM
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
May 19
8:00 PM
Punjab Kings
Rajasthan Royals
May 20
4:00 PM
Delhi Capitals
Chennai Super Kings
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
May 20
8:00 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders
Lucknow Super Giants
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
May 21
4:00 PM
Mumbai Indians
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
May 21
8:00 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Gujarat Titans
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Read More: Herath looking forward to working with Hathurusingha for Bangladesh
Chandika Hathurasingha takes over as head coach of Bangladesh cricket
Chandika Hathurasingha has officially taken over as the head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. He arrived in Dhaka on Monday and joined the team's practice session on Tuesday, marking his first day in his new role.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reappointed Hathurasingha for the next two years, following his successful first stint as the head coach.
During his first tenure, Bangladesh tasted several historic victories, both at home and abroad, including a famous win against England in the 2015 World Cup and series wins against Pakistan, India, and South America.
Hathurasingha was seen having conversations with key players, including Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, and Taijul Islam, during Tuesday's practice session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
However, he has not yet addressed the media. A press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, where Hathurasingha will speak to the media and discuss his plans for the team.
The Bangladesh team is gearing up for their upcoming series against England, consisting of three ODIs and three T20 matches, starting on March 1.
Herath looking forward to working with Hathurusingha for Bangladesh
Rangana Herath, the spin bowling coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, has expressed his excitement and confidence in Chandika Hathurusingha, the new head coach of the team. Herath has played with and under Hathurusingha before and believes that Bangladesh cricket will benefit from his presence.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a recent announcement that Chandika Hathurusingha will take the helm as the head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. Hathurusingha previously had a successful four-year tenure with the team, during which the Tigers experienced a significant improvement in their performance.
In a recent interview with the media, Herath clarified that he does not have a role in the selection of the squad for the upcoming England ODI series. However, he said, he is happy to provide information about the performance of spinners if the selectors or Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ask for it.
According to Rangana Herath, Taijul Islam's impressive performance against the West Indies in the previous series demonstrates his potential to succeed in ODIs.
“I think he has done well against West Indies in the last series. I see Taijul as a bowler who can do well in ODIs as well,” he said.
Herath also shared his thoughts on the ongoing spin camp. He expressed his desire to hold these camps regularly to ensure that the team is well-prepared for future matches with the new talented spinners.
Regarding the upcoming England series, Herath stated that the team's ultimate goal is to win, but they must first follow the process and practice effectively.
With great enthusiasm, Herath also conveyed his positive outlook towards two promising players, whom he believes could be the potential game-changers for the Bangladesh cricket team. One of them is Aminul Islam Biplob, a player whom he has closely worked with for months, and the other is none other than Tanvir Islam, who secured the most wickets in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and played an integral part in the triumph of Comilla Victorians.
Shakib leaves Peshawar Zalmi for a personal matter
Peshawar Zalmi have suffered a blow as their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has left the squad to attend to an important personal matter. However, Shakib said he would join the team at some point in the ongoing season of PSL.
Shakib has been replaced by Afghanistan's young sensation Azmatullah Omarzai, who impressed the cricketing fraternity with his strong batting ability. Azmatullah will join fellow Afghan players Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the Zalmi squad.
Shakib expressed his disappointment at leaving the tournament midway and hoped to return for the Playoffs if Zalmi qualify.
“I have to temporarily leave the PSL 8 to attend an important personal matter. I know I have a strong fan-base here and I was looking forward to playing all the matches in front of all the fans,” he said.
Shakib also said that he would join the Zalmi squad at some point in the ongoing season.
Zalmi are currently fifth on the points table with one win in two matches they’ve played so far.
BAN vs ENG Series 2023: Bangladesh ODI Squad Analysis
After a long wait of nearly seven years, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made all the necessary preparations for the upcoming 3-match ODI and T20 series tour of England. The ODI series is scheduled to begin on March 1, with the second ODI to be played on March 3 and the third ODI on March 6. BCB has announced the Bangladesh ODI squad for BAN vs ENG Series 2023.
Players of Bangladesh ODI Team against England
Tamim Iqbal (captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam, and Towhid Hridoy.
Read More: BAN vs ENG Series 2023: Key ODI Records, Who Holds Advantage in Records So Far
Bangladesh Squad Analysis
BCB announced the 14-member squad for the first two matches of the ODI series, whereas a new face, Towhid Hridoy, who spread light with the bat in BPL, got a chance. Meanwhile, five cricketers have been dropped from the 16-member ODI squad played against India last December.
Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan, pacer Shariful Islam, top order Anamul Haque Bijoy, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, and middle-order batsman Yasir Ali Rabi lost their place in the team due to bad performance in this year's BPL.
However, Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed did well in the India series. But he was not kept in the England series. In this regard, the selectors said that they had kept him in consideration for another edition. He might get a call for T20 or the last ODI.
Tigers' regular ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has returned to the announced ODI squad against England. The team captain was not in the series against India due to injury. Taijul Islam is also back.
Read More: Bangladesh vs England ODI Series 2023 Preview: Schedule, Fixtures, Team
Bangladesh cricket team selectors' team selection always raises many questions. Let alone the upcoming England series, and it seemed only a matter of time before Towhid Hridoy got a call-up to the squad after performing brilliantly in the BPL. As expected, he got a call from the team. However, the reason for the questioning is that he performed well in T20 but has been called up to the ODI squad! Hence, everyone will have an eye on him.
Key Batters
One of the best batsmen of the Bangladesh senior cricket team is the left-handed opener, Tamim Iqbal. This experienced opener had to stay out of the team for a long time due to injury. Finally, he is going to return to the team. Tamim is one of the most successful batsmen who played against England. So far, he has played 14 matches and scored 488 runs against England. With a high score of 128, Tamim has two centuries against the English team. So, it is expected that he will give his best as Tamim is returning after a long time.
Towhid Hridoy’s first appearance will be a key moment in this one-day series. As he got a chance in the national team based on his BPL performance, fans will be waiting for his ODI performance. Hridoy has scored 403 runs with the bat in this year's BPL season. Right-handed top-order batsman Hridoy scored this run at a strike rate of 140 with five fifties. Previously he played 49 ODI matches for the Bangladesh U19 team and scored 1624 runs with 5 centuries and 10 half-centuries. So, it is time to see if this experience benefits the Bangladesh team against England.
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Litton Das has been in good form recently. However, he has never played any ODI against England. So, we hope to enjoy his incredible batting against a new country. Recently he led Bangladesh against India last December. However, he did have the expected performance against India and scored only 77 runs in three ODIs. But he deserved praise because of his captaincy. He was successful in his first assignment as captain; Bangladesh won the series against India with one match in hand. Since he will not have extra pressure in this tournament, it is expected that Litton Das will be able to give his regular performance.