New Delhi: Team India aims to secure their second win in the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage as they face Bangladesh in a crucial match at Kensington Oval. The two teams previously met in a warm-up match, but Saturday's encounter holds greater significance.

India enters the match undefeated, while Bangladesh has struggled with form. Historically, India has dominated this rivalry, yet Bangladesh's resilience makes them a formidable opponent. India showcased a strong performance against Afghanistan in their Super Eights opener and hopes to maintain momentum.

Openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown promising starts but have yet to deliver impactful innings. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube, known for his power-hitting, has struggled to match his IPL form. Although he scored an unbeaten 31 against the USA, it was Suryakumar Yadav who shined in that game. Dube's underperformance might open the door for Sanju Samson in the middle order.

Hardik Pandya's explosive cameo against Afghanistan was a major positive for India. His form is crucial for India's success. On the bowling front, India is expected to retain their current combination, with left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav playing a key role. The Caribbean wickets have favored spinners, and India has effectively utilized three spinners in their lineup.

For Bangladesh, this clash is a must-win following their loss to Australia. Their batting woes persist, with a lack of power-hitters and underperformance from openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan. Captain Najmul Shanto emphasized the importance of top-order contributions for a better performance against India.

India's likely XI

- Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli
- Middle-order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Various Dalit organisations on Monday announced a state-wide hartal seeking justice in the death of Kannur Dental College student Nithin Raj.

The hartal will be observed on Tuesday from 6 am to 6 pm.

As many as 52 Dalit organisations, including Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council, have announced the strike.

Organisations requesting cooperation for the strike said that no vehicles will be forcibly stopped and that all essential services are exempted.

Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Anjarakkandy in Kannur district, was found critically injured after falling from a building on April 10 and later succumbed to his injuries.

Police have registered a case against two faculty members on charges of abetment of suicide and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations by the student’s family that he was subjected to caste- and complexion-based harassment.

Kerala Pinnokka Samudaya Munnani (KPSM), one of the organisations supporting the hartal, alleged in a statement that police had shown apathy in the investigation and were attempting to protect the accused in the case.

KPSM state president K V Padmanabhan and general secretary S Anwar alleged that the probe into Raj’s death was being deliberately misdirected and delayed.

While the family has firmly alleged that caste discrimination and mental harassment by faculty members led to the student’s death, police were attempting to divert the investigation towards loan app borrowings, they claimed.

The organisation alleged that this was a planned move to shield the real accused.

KPSM further alleged that by deliberately delaying the arrest of the accused teachers, police enabled them to secure anticipatory bail.

They said there was no confidence in the present police investigation and demanded that the case be handed over to an independent agency at the earliest.