India survived a scare against Hong Kong but defeated Pakistan comprehensively to top Group A in two back to back games. Now after a day’s rest, Rohit Sharma’s troops will battle Bangladesh in the first match of the Super Four at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

On the other end, Bangladesh finished second in Group B behind Afghanistan and will have a point to prove with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman most likely to return to their XI today.

We take a brief look at the form and what the combinations could be like.

From the Indian dressing room:

Rohit Sharma, in the post-match presentation, said that his Indian side have got a hang of the conditions in the UAE. The Indian skipper struck form at the right moment and realises the importance of a strong opening stand for the rest of the batsmen to come and contribute.

His opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, especially, is in good rhythm which adds to India’s advantage. Ambati Rayudu at three has been a safe bet so far. The right-hander has looked hungry for runs and will eye the Bangladesh fixture again as an opportunity to make a strong case to be in the XI even once Kohli returns after the Asia Cup.

India have benched KL Rahul and trusted Dinesh Karthik at number four. Karthik needs one solid knock to prove himself. MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav at number five and six will have an added responsibility to finish games with Hardik Pandya being ruled out with a back injury.

India may be tempted to play Ravindra Jadeja, who has been called up as a replacement at that crucial number 7 position. If Rohit and the team management rely on Kedar, this might also be an opportunity to play an extra batsman in Manish Pandey who has been warming the bench for quite a while.

Chahal and Kuldeep have done a tremendous job in the middle overs and Rohit will be expecting them to deliver again in these suitable conditions.

India produced a fine spell of fast bowling with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah bowling tight lines. Their disciplined bowling set the tone against Pakistan and in conditions where there is no kind of seam or swing movement, it becomes a boon for any fielding side.

From the Bangladeshi dressing room:

Bangladesh were absolutely phenomenal to recover from Malinga’s early blows and rode on Mushfiqur Rahim’s magnificent ton to set up a target which their bowlers could defend with ease in their Asia Cup opener. But Afghanistan thrashed them in their next game yesterday which would’ve dented their confidence, especially with a match against India up next.

With Tamim Iqbal out due to an injury, Bangladesh will be heavily relying on their senior pros – Shakib Al Hasan and Rahim. Mominul Haque, Liton Das and Mahmudullah have been around for a while and Bangladesh will hope for them to get runs against India.

Bangladesh will also depend on their bowlers to do the job. Mustafizur Rahman has a knack of picking wickets against India so he will be a threat. He has seen a lot of Rohit Sharma in the MI nets and will be eager to share the feedback with his other teammates. Rahman was rested for the game against Afghanistan and will be fresh when he takes the field today.

Mashrafe Mortaza is a great leader but he will be disappointed with the kind of beating he took against the Afghans. Rubel had a decent game but it was Abu Hider Rony who impressed on his debut and if he finds a place against India will be interesting to see.

Shakib’s slow left-arm spin and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s off-breaks along with the part-time spin of Mahmudullah can be very effective on the slow and dry Dubai wicket in the middle overs. However, Bangladesh will be eyeing to finish off well. A Rashid Khan fifty stunned them at the death but they will feel confident once Mustafizur, their expert at the death, returns.

With tired legs on their side, Bangladesh will feel that India has the advantage in this first match of the Super Four in Dubai.