With the lack of India vs Pakistan clashes in the recent past, it won't be an overstatement to say that the green of India's fiercest rivals (on and off the cricket field) has been replaced to a large extent by the green of Bangladesh Tigers, on the cricket field. When these two sub-continent teams renew their rivalry in Mirpur on Wednesday in the Asia Cup T20, there will no shortage of narrative.
Bangladesh cricket fans, ever since the perceived injustice of Rohit Sharma's 'non-dismissal' off a no-ball, in the World Cup quarter-final no less, have held a special grudge against India. The outrage was immense, with BCCI's stronghold on the game was alleged as one of the reasons for Bangladesh's ouster from the marquee event.
ADVERTISING
Fast forward a few months, MS Dhoni's team was sent back home with tails between their legs as young Mustafizur Rehman wreaked havoc to hand India a shock 1-2 defeat. At the end of the series, even Bangladesh media milked the most of defeating their close rivals.The clock is ticking down and Asia Cup is getting nearer. Working as a prelude to the ICC World T20 later, the five team tournament involving hosts Bangladesh, defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and qualifier UAE will probably act as a tune up to the larger extravaganza in India.But, let’s have a brief look at the things you should keep an eye out for at the Asia Cup which concludes on 6th March.The teams might not accept it openly, but make no mistake, the fans know this is a grudge match.
While Mahendra Singh Dhoni has always stated that "revenge is a very strong word in sport", the Indian team will be keen to get even against a strong Bangladesh side that beat them fair and square in a three-ODI series at the same venue last year under hostile circumstances with a partisan crowd behind them.Taking note of the World T20 right after, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) – the organising body of the Asia Cup – decided to play the tournament based on the World Cup succeeding it. Keeping that in mind, 2016 Asia Cup will be the first tournament to be played in a T20 avatar. All 12 editions of the tournaments before this have been played in 50 over format.As India enter the final phase of their preparations for next month's World Twenty20, a cloud of uncertainty exists over skipper Dhoni's availability which may disturb the side's momentum going into the tournament-opener against Bangladesh.
ADVERTISING
Fast forward a few months, MS Dhoni's team was sent back home with tails between their legs as young Mustafizur Rehman wreaked havoc to hand India a shock 1-2 defeat. At the end of the series, even Bangladesh media milked the most of defeating their close rivals.The clock is ticking down and Asia Cup is getting nearer. Working as a prelude to the ICC World T20 later, the five team tournament involving hosts Bangladesh, defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and qualifier UAE will probably act as a tune up to the larger extravaganza in India.But, let’s have a brief look at the things you should keep an eye out for at the Asia Cup which concludes on 6th March.The teams might not accept it openly, but make no mistake, the fans know this is a grudge match.
While Mahendra Singh Dhoni has always stated that "revenge is a very strong word in sport", the Indian team will be keen to get even against a strong Bangladesh side that beat them fair and square in a three-ODI series at the same venue last year under hostile circumstances with a partisan crowd behind them.Taking note of the World T20 right after, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) – the organising body of the Asia Cup – decided to play the tournament based on the World Cup succeeding it. Keeping that in mind, 2016 Asia Cup will be the first tournament to be played in a T20 avatar. All 12 editions of the tournaments before this have been played in 50 over format.As India enter the final phase of their preparations for next month's World Twenty20, a cloud of uncertainty exists over skipper Dhoni's availability which may disturb the side's momentum going into the tournament-opener against Bangladesh.
