Just unbelievable! Such a meek Indian surrender to the best of the minnows in their first Cup encounter! And that, too at the Queen’s Park Oval, a venue supposed to be lucky for them.

Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody did say that India’s performance overseas is questionable. But did we have to go all out to prove him right? To think that Indians got beaten fair and square by their next-door tiger cubs is insulting. To get 192 to win on a wicket rolled out exceedingly well wasn’t easy for these young Bangladeshis against a proven attack. But they marched methodically; never bothering about big names.

They had an early setback — opener Nafees offering no shot to Zaheer Khan. Thereafter, they never let the pressure push them into submission. At times, Iqbal, Rahim and Sakib — the three main contributors to this historic victory — would jump out to hit over the fielders’ heads, not only to keep the run-rate in control but also to make bowlers waver in line and length. Perhaps the only batter who had a rush of blood was captain Bashar.

Team India looked diffident right from the start. Their attitude appeared negative when they chose to bat first. There was some juice in the wicket early on, and that advantage was handed over to Mashrafe Mortaza, who scalped the precious wickets of the opener, the one running horrible form (read Virender Sehwag) and a newcomer alien to such pressures (Robin Uthappa).

... contd.