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India v Bangladesh World Twenty20 preview

India are strong favourites to beat Bangladesh in the World Twenty20, but Ashish Nehra said the Tigers should not be underestimated.

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Ashish Nehra said India will show Bangladesh the respect they deserve when the two sides meet in the World Twenty20 on Wednesday.

India beat the Tigers in the Asia Cup final in Bangladesh earlier this month after also consigning the hosts to defeat in the opening game of the tournament.

MS Dhoni's men will be expected to get the better of Bangladesh once again in Bangalore, where a victory would move India above Pakistan into second place with a potentially decisive match against Australia to come on Sunday.

New Zealand's victory over Pakistan on Tuesday leaves just one place in the semi-finals up for grabs in Group 2, and veteran seamer Nehra is taking nothing for granted despite having seen Bangladesh lose their first two games at the Super 10 stage.

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He said: "Bangladesh have been doing good, everybody knows. They played the Asia Cup final with us. There were other teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka also, they have beaten them.

"In this format, you can't take any team lightly. "The way Bangladesh have progressed in the last three to four years is amazing. We have to play to our potential to beat a team like Bangladesh. It's not like you can take it easy. Nobody is taking Bangladesh lightly and we are looking forward [to the game]."

CLASSY KOHLI IS KEY

Virat Kohli has been in outstanding form this year and the India batsman put on another show to get his side home against fierce rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Bangladesh must find a way to get rid of the majestic right-hander.

TAMIM CONCERN FOR TIGERS

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Having already lost Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny after the duo were suspended for illegal bowling actions, Bangladesh suffered another blow when Tamim Iqbal missed the defeat to Australia due to food poisoning. The Tigers will be hoping the dangerous opening batsman is able to return for a game they have to win to retain any hope of progressing.

SHAKIB EAGER FOR PROMOTION

Shakib Al Hasan followed up his unbeaten 50 against Pakistan by making a brisk 33 against Australia and the Bangladesh all-rounder would welcome the chance to move up a place in the order to number three. He said: "I would bat at number three if given the option. I had done well in that position. The team's situation and demands requires me to bat at number four. My personal opinion is that I prefer batting at number three, but I don't mind batting anywhere."

OPTA STATS

- India have won all four previous T20 fixtures against Bangladesh, two of which have come in the World Twenty20. - MS Dhoni needs five more runs to become the fifth player to score 1,000 T20 runs for India. Virat Kohli will become only the ninth player to score 1,500 for any nation if he makes 54. - Ravichandran Ashwin needs three more wickets to become the 12th player to take 50 T20 international wickets and the first Indian to achieve the feat.

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