India vs Bangladesh

Just the sort of batting performance one expected. India piling on 180 in their 20 overs losing 5 wickets in the process. In the absence of Sehwag, Gambhir and Sharma provided a good start to get things on the way. Dhoni played a steady innings in the middle but the innings of Yuvraj Singh made the difference in the end. Irfan Pathan ended the innings with a couple of good shots to end on a high. Nothing much for the Bangladesh bowlers apart from Naeem Islam taking a couple of wickets. India will be quite happy with what they have got and will be back charging in to defend that total. Stay tuned..

R Hossain to I Pathan, Pathan has flicked the ball off his pads for a single of the last ball. India end their 20 overs nicely on 180 for 5.

R Hossain to I Pathan, FOUR now! It's a clean strike over mid wicket by Pathan. That one was nicely in the gap and the ball crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Taufel.

R Hossain to I Pathan, SIX! First ball and way she goes! Pathan has lofted that over mid wicket. That was six from the time it left the bat of Pathan. Up go the arms of Umpire Taufel.

Irfan Pathan comes out to the middle. Just a few balls to face and he will look to hit a couple out of the park.

R Hossain to S Raina, OUT! Bowled him! Raina had no answer to that yorker. India have lost their fifth wicket. Wicket at the right time for the Bangladesh side.

R Hossain to S Raina, Raina watches the bouncer go way above his head. Umpire Taufel has signalled a wide. Umpire Taufel signals one bouncer for the over.

R Hossain to Y Pathan, Driven hard through the leg side by Pathan. The batsmen have run through for a single. Singles won't do in the last over.

R Hossain to S Raina, Driven through the off side by Raina and he runs in hard for a single. Wanted the second but it was never there.

Rubel Hossain runs in to bowl the final over. Can he hold his nerves to end on a high?

S Hossain to S Raina, Raina works it down the leg side. The fielding side is asking the question. One run conceded. Umpire Bowden isn't interested in the appeal.

S Hossain to S Raina, Driven through the covers by Raina. Good effort by Hassan to save runs for his team. Two runs conceded.

S Hossain to S Raina, FOUR! Played through mid-wicket by Raina and had timed that beautifully. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Bowden signals four runs.

S Hossain to S Raina, Driven through the off side by Raina. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

S Hossain to S Raina, Raina has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. Nice delivery to follow-up.

Hard hitting Yusuf Pathan is the next man in. What can he produce in the final few overs?

S Hossain to Y Singh, OUT! Yuvraj falls! Half-volley on the middle and Singh has lofted that over mid off. It's high in the air and taken by Iqbal. India have lost their fourth wicket.

Shahadat Hossain also back in the attack. They will surely look to contain the Indians at the moment.

R Hossain to S Raina, Raina has played that off the front foot and into the ground. No run to end an excellent over for India.

R Hossain to Y Singh, Singh works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

R Hossain to Y Singh, Singh watches the bouncer go way above his head. Umpire Taufel signals one bouncer for the over.

R Hossain to Y Singh, Singh tries flicking a ball that is wide on the leg stumps. Umpire Taufel has signalled a wide.

R Hossain to Y Singh, FOUR! Delicate glance by Singh through the fine leg region. The ball races to the boundary once again. Umpire Taufel signals four runs. This is excellent stuff.

R Hossain to Y Singh, FOUR! Singh plays the pull-shot. The fielder is in the circle and way she goes. The ball has crossed the ropes. Umpire Taufel signals four runs.

R Hossain to Y Singh, SIX! Full toss and punished! It's been lofted over Mid-on by Singh. Up, high and away for a six. Great shot by Singh. Six signalled by Umpire Taufel. Can't give him there, he is in excellent touch.

R Hossain to Y Singh, Singh tries flicking a ball that is wide on the leg stumps. Umpire Taufel has signalled a wide.

Rubel Hossain back in the attack. He will have to bowl tighly to get things on track for his side.

Suresh Raina walks out to the middle. He is in excellent touch and will need to score some quick runs.

N Islam to G Gambhir, OUT! Gambhir departs! Fuller delivery and driven through the covers by Gambhir. That is easy pickings for Hasan. India have lost their third wicket.

N Islam to Y Singh, Singh drives through the leg side and takes only a single here.

N Islam to Y Singh, SIX! Yuvraj on fire! The bowler drops short this time and Singh plays the pull-shot. What power on that as it went way back in the stands. The crowd is all behind him. This is fun at Nottingham.

N Islam to Y Singh, Singh has punched that ball through the offside. Doesn't time it well and the ball is straight to the fielder.

N Islam to Y Singh, SIX! Another one! This one was even better. Again the same sort of delivery and Singh helps the ball along its way to the deep mid-wicket fence. That was six from the time it left the bat of Singh. Yuvraj is turning in on in the final few overs.

N Islam to Y Singh, SIX! Big one! On the pads and Singh just flicks that over the mid-wicket fielder. Up, high and away for a six. Great shot by Singh. Six signalled by Umpire Bowden.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir has played that with the full face of the bat. Dot ball to end the over as well.

Al Hasan to Y Singh, Singh has played that off the front foot and into the ground. No run this time as the ball is straight to the fielder.

Al Hasan to Y Singh, Pushed to the cover region by Singh for a nice and easy single.

Al Hasan to Y Singh, FOUR! Width outside the off and Singh plays the Square-Cut. The ball finds the gap and races to the boundary. Umpire Taufel signals four runs.

Al Hasan to Y Singh, Singh has pushed it to the cover region for a single this time. He is happy to give Gambhir the strike.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir has nudged the ball fine down the leg side and he takes a single this time as well. That is fifty for Gautam Gambhir. This is a well compiled innings.

Al Hasan to Y Singh, Singh has played it through mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.

N Islam to Y Singh, Singh flicks it away with a wristy shot on the leg side and takes a single to get off the mark. End of a successful over by Islam.

N Islam to Y Singh, Singh has dug out that yorker at the last second. Good ball by Islam. He is looking good now.

N Islam to Y Singh, Singh has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Starts with a dot.

Yuvraj Singh is the next batsman in. India opt for the experienced batsman rather than the in-form youngster Raina.

N Islam to MS Dhoni, OUT! Bowled! Dhoni departs! He charges down the track and yorks himself. Misses the ball and the Middle Stump has just been uprooted by Islam. India have lost their second wicket.

N Islam to G Gambhir, Driven through the covers by Gambhir. The batsmen have run through for a single. They will try the big shots at some stage.

N Islam to MS Dhoni, Dhoni plays the pull-shot and gets the ball to the deep square-leg fielder. One run added to the total.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Punched off the backfoot by Gambhir and this time they come back for the second. End of the 14th over.

M Mortaza to MS Dhoni, Dhoni plays the pull-shot this time and again only a single. After a solid start Bangladesh won't mind the singles that much.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gambhir drives hard through the covers. One run conceded.

M Mortaza to MS Dhoni, Slower one outside the off; Dhoni gets a thick outside edge to the third man region. One run conceded.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Fuller delivery on the middle; Gambhir makes room for himself and slashes that in the point region. Straight to the fielder in the deep and hence only a single.

M Mortaza to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has driven it through the off side. The ball goes in the long-off region and they take a single.

Mashrafe Mortaza now comes in to bowl his final over. He is the attacking option for the Bangladesh skipper.

N Islam to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has punched the ball off the backfoot. A better throw by Islam could have resulted in a run out. Umpire Bowden takes the help of the Third Umpire. Third Umpire shows the green signal for Dhoni.

N Islam to G Gambhir, Gambhir plays the Square-Cut this time. One run added to the total.

N Islam to G Gambhir, Gambhir has lofted it over covers. Nicely in the gap and they come back for the second.

N Islam to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has punched the ball off the backfoot. The batsmen have run through for a single. The batsmen will be looking for the big shots now with 9 wickets in hand.

N Islam to G Gambhir, Gambhir works it down the leg side and takes a single here.

N Islam to G Gambhir, FOUR! Thick edge outside the off and Gambhir gets that in the third man region. Wide of the fielder and the ball races away. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

Naeem Islam comes in to bowl now. The Bangladesh skipper is making some quick changes here to get a break through.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total of the last ball.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Dhoni works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Punched off the backfoot by Gambhir. One run added to the total. The runs are coming in singles for the moment.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Driven through the off side by Dhoni. One run added to the total.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir flicks it away on the leg side once again. One run added to the total.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. Excellent running and understanding between the skipper and the opener.

Mahmudullah to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has punched the ball off the backfoot. Two runs added to the total. End of another good over for India.

Mahmudullah to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has been hit on the shoulder in his attempt to sweep that one.

Mahmudullah to G Gambhir, Gambhir dances down the track and plays well on the leg side. One run added to the total.

Mahmudullah to G Gambhir, Gambhir rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball. Dot ball as the ball went straight to the fielder.

Mahmudullah to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has pushed it to the cover region for a nice looking single this time.

Mahmudullah to MS Dhoni, SIX! Dhoni at his best! Charges down the wicket and hits typically in his style. The crowd in long-on stands await the ball as it comes to them. Umpire Bowden raises his arms in the air to signal a six.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Dhoni works it down the leg side. Strange looking shot but good for a single. End of the 10th over.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir has played it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Defended nicely off the back foot by Gambhir. No run for the taking this time.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir guides it to third man. A direct hit by Mortaza but Dhoni makes it home. The Third Umpire has been called for by Umpire Taufel. The Third Umpire's decision is in favour of Dhoni. After hitting the ball went in the deep and hence the batsmen came back for the second as well.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Punched off the backfoot by Dhoni and this time he takes a single.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir has flicked the ball off his pads and they take a single again. Dot ball has become very rare now, atleast the singles are coming.

S Hossain to MS Dhoni, Played through mid-wicket by Dhoni. Sloppy work from the mid-wicket fielder and hence the batsmen take a couple of runs.

S Hossain to G Gambhir, Back of the length delivery outside the off; Gambhir guides it to third man. One run added to the total.

S Hossain to G Gambhir, Wide outside the off and Gambhir plays the Square-Cut. The fielder at point dives and gets his hand to it. Two runs added to the total.

S Hossain to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has punched that ball through the offside. One run added to the total. He is very good at rotating strike.

S Hossain to MS Dhoni, Bouncer! Dhoni does well to evade it. Umpire Bowden signals one bouncer for the over.

S Hossain to MS Dhoni, Dhoni plays the Square-Cut. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

Shahadat Hossain comes back in the attack.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Dhoni has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. Successful over for the Bangladesh side.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir flicks it away with a wristy shot on the leg side. One run added to the total.

Al Hasan to G Gambhir, Gambhir rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball on the off side but finds the fielder. No run as a result.

Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Driven through the covers by Dhoni. He is away with a single. The skipper will try and play an anchoring innings here.

Skipper himself MS Dhoni walks out to the middle.

Al Hasan to R Sharma, OUT! Bowled! Big one for Shakib! Spinning ball on the middle and Sharma tries a rash shot. The off stump has been uprooted by Hasan. India have lost their first wicket.

Al Hasan to R Sharma, Sharma swung at the ball and compeletly missed it. He was well out of the wicket and keeper even had the ball in his hand; but while disturbing the stumps he let it go. Sharma survies!

Another change, Shakib-al-Hasan comes in to bowl now. He has a knack of taking big wickets.

Mahmudullah to R Sharma, Sharma drives through the leg side. One run added to the total.

Mahmudullah to R Sharma, Wide outside the off and Sharma slices that one to third man. Two runs added to the total.

Mahmudullah to G Gambhir, Just a touch short from the bowler and Gambhir plays the pull-shot. One run added to the total as there is a fielder in the deep now.

Mahmudullah to G Gambhir, Punched off the backfoot by Gambhir but finds the fielder this time. No run once again.

Mahmudullah to G Gambhir, Defended nicely off the front foot by Gambhir. Good delivery by the bowler there but his skipper wants a wicket from him.

Mahmudullah to R Sharma, Sharma drives through the leg side and they take a single of the first ball.

Change in bowling, Mahmudullah comes in now replacing Mortaza who bowled three off his four.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Excellent bouncer and directed well; Gambhir tried hitting the upper-cut on that one but missed it completely.

R Hossain to R Sharma, Sharma guides it to third man. One run added to the total.

R Hossain to R Sharma, Sharma has flicked the ball on the leg side. The ball for a moment went in the air and the keeper was interested. But lands safely and they have picked up a couple of runs.

R Hossain to R Sharma, Sharma has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. He was feeling for that one outside the off.

R Hossain to R Sharma, FOUR this time! Once again on the middle and Sharma plays a same looking shot. This one was not timed that well and reaches the fence on the bounce. Runs coming quickly for India.

R Hossain to R Sharma, SIX! Bang Bang! Wasn't a bad delivery but Sharma swings his bat and hits that over mid wicket. That was six from the time it left the bat of Sharma. He looks in fine touch.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Sharma defends it off the back foot and again they take a single without a call. End of the 5th over.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gambhir guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, FOUR! Absolute beauty! Fuller outside the off and Gambhir gleefully drives through the covers. More importantly finds the gap and the ball races away.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Sharma has flicked the ball off his pads. One run conceded. The singles are coming easily for the Indian openers.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Sharma has been struck high on the thigh-pad. The fielding side is asking the question. Umpire Bowden decides Sharma is not out. That was a touch too high.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Drifting down the leg side and Gambhir defensively plays that on the leg side. They really have some good understanding; take a single again.

S Hossain to R Sharma, Sharp delivery coming in from the good length spot. Sharma defends it off the back foot. No run to end the over.

S Hossain to G Gambhir, Gambhir has stood up on his toes to play that one. He turns that one on the leg side and again they cross through for a quick single.

S Hossain to G Gambhir, Gambhir tries flicking a ball that is wide on the leg stumps. Umpire Taufel signals a wide.

S Hossain to R Sharma, Top edge! The ball is in the air but lands safely in the third man region. One run conceded.

S Hossain to R Sharma, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Just a touch wide outside the off and Sharma goes for the Cut. Pierces the gap in the point region and reaches the fence for a boundary.

S Hossain to R Sharma, SIX! Just a flick of wrist! Fuller delivery on the middle and Sharma just helps it on its way on the leg side. The fine leg fielder Mortaza had a chance but was too high. Up go the arms of Umpire Taufel.

S Hossain to G Gambhir, Dropped! Width outside the off and Gambhir plays the Square-Cut. A diving effort by Hassan at point but fails to hold on in the end. The batsmen run through for a single.

First changing in bowling as Shahadat Hossain takes the ball in his hand. He comes in to replace Rubel Hossain.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gambhir has pushed it to the cover region this time and they take a single of the last ball. Gambhir will keep strike.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Sharma shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. They set off for a single again and a direct hit by Hasan but Sharma makes it home. The batsmen have run through for a single.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Pressure showing! Sharma goes for a wild looking shot outside the off - but missed.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Back of the length delivery coming in; played through mid-wicket by Sharma. Again the ball went to the fielder hence no run.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Good length ball on the middle; driven sweetly through the covers by Sharma. That one was an elegant back-foot shot but went straight to the fielder.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gambhir defends it off the back foot. And they set off for another quick single; Islam goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. Had that hit Sharma might have been in trouble.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Fuller one of the middle and Gambhir has flicked the ball off his pads. The ball was in the deep and the fine-leg fielder comes charging in; allows only a single.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Gambhir tried hooking that one but missed it completely. That one was down the leg side. Umpire Taufel signals one bouncer for the over.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Gambhir has attempted to play that one - but missed. Another good delivery there; that had some pace in it. Hossain is bending his back here.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Gambhir has stood up on his toes to play that one. Excellent come back by the bowler.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, FOUR! Width and put away! Pitched up and Gambhir drives through the covers. No difficulty there as the ball races away. Umpire Taufel signals four runs.

R Hossain to G Gambhir, Starts with an excellent good length delivery; Gambhir defends it off the back foot. Nice start for the bowler.

Rubel Hossain starts from the other end.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, On the pads and Gambhir has flicked the ball on the leg side. The batsmen jog through for a single of the last ball. End of a good first over for India.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, Sharma guides it to third man this time and they take a single.

M Mortaza to R Sharma, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Half-volley outside the off and Sharma leans forward to drive through the covers. The ball races through the extra-cover. Umpire Bowden signals four runs.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gambhir takes a couple of steps forward and taps the ball of the off side. Good understanding between the batsmen as they quickly take off for a single.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, FOUR! India off the mark! Again the same sort of delivery outside the off and Gambhir plays the Square-Cut. Finds the gap and the ball slowly though but reaches the fence. First boundary of the match.

M Mortaza to G Gambhir, Gentle loosener outside the off; Gambhir has attempted to play that one - but missed. Mortaza starts with a dot. The crowd is already on its way.

Here comes the first ball..

Mashrafe Mortaza has the new ball in his hand and he will start the proceedings. Gambhir to face the first delivery.

Right then, its the Men in blue vs the Men in Green. Indian openers are making their way to the middle along with the Bangladesh side.

For Bangladesh, it is an expected team line-up who will fancy their chance to start on a winning note.

It is confirmed Virender Sehwag is not playing and Rohit Sharma will open for Indin along with Gautam Gambhir. But the big news is that Zaheer Khan is fit and he is raring to go in here. Jadeja, Kumar and RP Singh have been left out.

The fans from both the countries are pouring in and the atmosphere is electrifying right from the start.

Billy Bowden from New Zealand and Simon Taufel from Australia are the Umpires for the game. Nigel Llong will be the TV Umpire while Chris Broad from England is the Match Referee.

For the toss, India won it and decided to bat first. The wicket looks a good one to bat on and that might have prompted MS Dhoni to take that decision.

To start with the weather, it rained heavily at the start of the day but just stopped in time to get the game underway on time. Its still overcast and we hope that the rain gods keep silent for rest of the day.

Time for the big game, defending champions India start their campaign as they take on Bangladesh in the 4th game of the World T20. We have had a couple of entertaining games today after a rain threat and this encounter promises to be another cracker.

India start their World Cup campaign in a clash against underdogs, Bangladesh at Trent Bridge, Notthingham on Saturday. They are coming into this tournament as Champions and are looking like favourites to defend it as they demonstrated against Pakistan in their last warm up game. They boast of, easily the strongest squad for this format with almost nine of their first eleven capable of bowling. They will be without the services of Sehwag and Zaheer but should not be too worried. Gambhir, Sharma, Y.Pathan, Raina and Dhoni are all in solid form. Yuvraj Singh has not been in the best of form through the IPL and would be itching to have a go. Ishant Sharma, RP Singh and Harbhajan make up their frontline bowlers. Bangladesh on the other hand would be backing themselves to put up a good show with the likes of Ashraful, Shakib-al-Hassan and Moshrafe Mortaza in their ranks. They have a good set of all round players and would be hoping for luck to be on their side.