India vs Bangladesh contests, over the years, have become much more interesting than what they were about 20 years ago. The neighbors enjoy a better head-to-head against the Indians, than any other top team in the world. In the 40 IND vs BAN ODIs played to date, the latter have won on eight occasions, including two bilateral series wins at home and, a World Cup victory in 2007, against Rahul Dravid’s side.
Their stature in world cricket has certainly moved a notch above that of a minnow side and can give any team a run for their money, on their day. Having said that, there are issues that persist with the team. The team, and the fans, find it hard to digest a defeat and have time and again stooped low, to make their anger felt. This certainly takes the sheen off the entire contest. Prior to the India vs Bangladesh match, Insidesport takes a look at some of such instances.
Ind vs Ban at 2015 World Cup
Eight years back, the Indian team Bangladesh in the second quarter-final by 109 runs. But it was a match marred by controversies. First, a decision went against Bangladesh when a full-toss was adjudged a no-ball. Rohit Sharma was batting on 90 when the incident happened and went on to score 137. Then in the same match, Mahmudullah was given a harsh decision, when Shikhar Dhawan took a catch while touching the boundary rope.
After the match, Bangladesh fans could not digest the loss, and students at Dhaka University went in a protest march. It was even called an international conspiracy. Such was the situation, that their PM also spoke about the umpiring errors. Bangladesh’s ICC president Mustafa Kamal also resigned.
Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates India’s loss
During the T20I World Cup in 2016, the Indian team had narrowly beaten Bangladesh, by just 1 run. Once again, the players and the fans could not digest the loss. So in the semis, after India lost to the West Indies, their wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated India’s loss of Twitter. He soon deleted the tweet and apologized to the fans.
Asia Cup Final 2016
An image of Bangladesh bowler Taskin Ahmed went viral on social media, where he was seen holding the head of then-Indian skipper MS Dhoni. This uncalled-for move by Bangladesh fans was much criticised by the Indian fans. To top it all, Bangladesh went on to lose the final with the utmost ease. Chasing a paltry target of 121, India got to the target, with Shikhar Dhawan scoring 60 in only 44 balls.
India vs Bangladesh 2015
Indian cricket fan Sudhir is well-known across the country and travels to every venue, wherever the team is playing. Back in 2015, after Bangladesh beat India in the second ODI in Mirpur, the Indian was assaulted by a mob outside the stadium. Sudhir went to tell a Hindi news channel, that the mob first grabbed the Indian flag, and then beat him up. Later, his auto-rickshaw was also pelted by stones.
