Can Tigers harness T20 unpredictably?

Unpredictability is the name of the game and that is what T20 cricket is all about. There is the same motif of why Pakistan are the top-ranked T20 side in the world right now and it is also why Bangladesh could overhaul Sri Lanka's total of 214 while chasing. Form could matter little but belief in own ability could make the difference as Tigers face India in their third game of the Nidahas Trophy T20I tournament.

3 mantras for Tigers

Read more

Given that Mahmudullah Riyad had yesterday suggested that bowlers need to dry up boundaries to restrict the batsmen, it is likely that he is already thinking of batting second. And who could blame him? All teams in this tournament have won by chasing a target -- the most impressive of those chases have come from the Tigers themselves, who battered down Sri Lanka's 214.

Indeed, toss played an important role in this tournament so far. Winning sides in this tournament have always won the toss and elected to field first.

The condition may have played it's part in the sides decision to field first especially because of the fact that batting tends to be easier as the match wears on. India will be buoyed by their win against Sri Lanka and would want to seal their final berth. A win for the Tigers will help them take a major step towards the final.

"The toss is very important. Most of the matches are won by the chasing side in the tournament. There is a bit of help for the bowlers in the early stages but it becomes easier for the batsmen as the game goes on. I think our batsmen have to apply well too," Riyad suggested earlier.

While the pitch is to remain batting friendly, rain continues to be the prevailing weather forecast in this tournament and there are chances of shower today as well.

Tigers have never won a T20 game against India but with the unpredictable nature of the Tigers so far, predictable unpredictability is expected.

There are rumours of Sabbir Rahman and Taskin Ahmed being dropped for the match after their poor showing in recent matches. Abu Jayed Rahi, Abu Hider and Ariful Haque could make an appearance for the Tigers as question mark hangs on the contributions of Sabbir and Taskin.