Kohli promises top show
India captain Virat Kohli warned his team not to underestimate Bangladesh, a team who have improved dramatically over the past few years to the point where they are now one game away from reaching a first final at an ICC event, and called for complete focus against their "dangerous" opponents.
"It's no surprise anymore to anyone that they are doing really well," Kohli said. "They are a very dangerous side on their day and everyone realises that ... Bangladesh have taken huge strides."
He also promised there would be no let-up from the title-holders when they face Bangladesh in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on Thursday.
After a surprise group defeat by Sri Lanka in a tournament featuring the world's top eight one-day international sides, India responded to their 'win or go home' clash against South Africa with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the top-ranked Proteas at the Oval last weekend.
India's bowlers put the brakes on South Africa's innings while a trio of run-outs said much about the Proteas' frailty and the improved fielding standards of Kohli's men.
Needing a mere 192 for victory, Kohli was there at the finish with 76 not out as India won with a whopping 12 overs to spare.
Now India return to Edgbaston where they launched their title-defence with a 124-run thrashing of arch-rivals Pakistan.
"We played in Birmingham before. We like that pitch. It suits our game," said Kohli after the win over South Africa. "There's no looking back. There's always room for improvement. We can't rest on your laurels.”
Kohli acknowledged the amount of one-day cricket played in the region was a factor, but he has also been impressed with the way so many of the Asian nations have adapted to English conditions.
"Maybe because of how much limited-overs cricket we play, I think the players are getting more experienced in difficult situations," he said. "Maybe some of the teams have really surprised the opposition with the way they have batted and bowled in certain situations."
Kohli also shrugged off concerns about his team's lower-middle order.
India's top order were solid in group stage victories over Pakistan and South Africa, meaning the likes of Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja have not really been tested apart from during the defeat by Sri Lanka.
The trio did not bat against South Africa and Jadeja has not faced a ball in the tournament, leading to concerns about what might happen if the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni fail to fire.
"As a batsman you want to finish off games," Kohli told a news conference on Wednesday. "You are not necessarily going to get out thinking 'my middle order has not got enough game time'.
"We know Kedar and Hardik are playing really well at the moment so we are not bothered at all."
Kohli said India would field the same team that played South Africa.