With a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series, the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot awaits to witness something momentous when visitors Bangladesh take on India today in the second T20 match.
It's as much about the visitors having a sniff at an away series win against India, something so rare which could secure their first ever series win away from Bangladeshi soil. Bangladesh have only ever clinched ODI series against India at home series in 2015.
Bangladesh, who are yet to win a T20 series against India, will look to write a new chapter under the leadership of talented Mahmudullah Riyad who proved his captaincy worth in the first T20 match.
Only two days back, the brave Tigers wrote history in the first T20 match in Delhi with a memorable and maiden T20 win against hosts India. The visitors Bangladesh now have a golden chance to script another history in India soil by sealing first ever T20 series win. A 2-0 series win against India will be enough to propel Tigers to rewrite history, while a victory for India will keep them to stay alive in the series.
Even the morale of the Bangladesh team was at its lowest after their recent abysmal incident regarding Shakib's ban. As usual the critics came up with their own theories and Bangladesh Cricket Board even Shakib were brutally criticised. It was a quite difficult to transform from disaster. In fact few could have expected Bangladesh to challenge for win in India after the unavailability of Shakib and Tamim but Mahmudullah and co proved Bangladesh can win without Shakib and Tamim now a days.
"I said to the journalists before leaving Bangladesh that the only way to return to the right track would be with a couple of wins in India. It will bring back smiles and calmness to the team and the nation." Mushfiq said.
While no lack of spirit and confident Mahmudullah and Co eyes to historic series win, there is a strong possibility that the stadium's third T20I might be washed out even without a ball being bowled due to the threat posed by Cyclone Maha.
If rain finally ruins the match, the Tigers has no chance to lose the series. Obviously the visitors' clinical performance in first T20 will give them a lot of confidence whereas the Indians will be desperately looking for redemption in the do-or-die game. "It is not about pressure.It is a three-game series, not a knockout game, so obviously one will win, one will lose, and that day they played better than us. We are one down and still two matches to go, and obviously if we believe in ourselves, we will come back." Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said.
The crowd will be expecting a thrilling encounter at Rajkot Stadium as both teams look to accomplish different objectives and end desperately looking for victory.