India are unwilling to make many changes to their playing XI when they face Bangladesh in their World Cup match in Pune on Thursday, wary of disrupting a winning combination and also of the spate of upsets in the tournament.
Rohit Sharma's team have won their first three games of the World Cup, including big wins over Australia and Pakistan.
However, Afghanistan have altered the course of the tournament after stunning defending champions England in New Delhi, before the Netherlands handed South Africa their first defeat at this World Cup in Dharamsala on Tuesday.
Hosts India, therefore, are likely to play it safe against the Tigers, who have held the upper hand against them in recent white-ball matches.
"When you enter a World Cup, every team will pose you a challenge," bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said.
"From our perspective, I don't think we'll take any team lightly. Be it Bangladesh or Netherlands, we want to treat every game equally. Every game for us is important, every opponent for us is important."
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India's captain Rohit Sharma celebrates after reaching his half century on his way to top scoring with 86 in his side's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their World Cup clash at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Reuters -
India's captain Rohit Sharma walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal for 86. AFP -
Pakistan's captain Babar Azam celebrates with Shaheen Afridi after the dismissal of India's captain Rohit Sharma. AFP -
Shreyas Iyer of India bats. Getty -
Pakistan's Hasan Ali celebrates with Shadab Khan after taking the wicket of India's Virat Kohli, caught by Mohammad Nawaz. Reuters -
India's Virat Kohli dives to make his ground. EPA -
Rohit Sharma of India. Getty -
India's Rohit Sharma hits out. Reuters -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates the wicket of India's Shubman Gill. AP -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of India's Shubman Gill, left. AFP -
India's Shubman Gill drives. AP -
Pakistan's Hasan Ali skies a ball from India's Ravindra Jadeja before being caught out by Shubman Gill. Reuters -
India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Haris Rauf. AFP -
India's Kuldeep Yadav celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed. AFP -
India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Shadab Khan. Reuters -
India's Kuldeep Yadav successfully appeals successfully for the lbw against Pakistan's Saud Shakeel. AP -
India's Kuldeep Yadav celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed with KL Rahul. AP -
Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed is clean bowled by India's Kuldeep Yadav. AFP -
Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan is bowled out Jasprit Bumrah of India. Getty -
India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrates with Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. Reuters -
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan is bowled out by India's Jasprit Bumrah. Reuters -
India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. Reuters -
India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Babar Azam. Reuters -
Pakistan's captain Babar Azam beats the field. EPA -
Pakistan's Babar Azam gets bowled out by India's Mohammed Siraj. Reuters -
India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique, left. AFP -
India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates with his captain Rohit Sharma after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique. AFP -
Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique run between the wickets. AP -
Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq plays a shot. AP -
India's Shubman Gill celebrates after the dismissal of Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq, right. AFP -
India's Hardik Pandya celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq. AP
That means experienced seamer Mohammed Shami and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could remain on the sidelines.
Ashwin played the first match against the Aussies, picking up 1-34 in 10 overs to set up victory.
"He [Ashwin] has been a great lad," said Mhambrey. "He understands that, he's a great team guy.
"I've never seen him grumpy; I haven't seen him complaining any time for any of the last few years that he's been with us.
"Even after so many years, I think he's there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigorous grinds and he keeps bowling."
What has allowed India to continue with their current attack is the form of their spinners and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah, 29, has taken eight wickets in three matches at a meagre average of just over 10, maintaining top pace and control.
"You have seen him in the last three games that he has played," Mhambrey added in Pune.
"What he brings to the table –- he is a world-class bowler. He gives you that breakthrough that you require in the power plays.
"He's well adapted to bowl in the middle overs and he's a top-gun 'death' bowler. I think in that sense, we really missed him."
Meanwhile, Bangladesh have lost their last two matches at the World Cup after starting with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan.
However, they have a great record against India in the subcontinent, having won three of their last four ODIs.
Bangladesh defeated India by six runs when the teams met in the Asia Cup in Colombo last month, with Mhambrey highlighting the quality of Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
