Bangladesh has been a banana peel as well as an enhancer of self-esteem for India in One-Day Internationals. The knockout punch suffered during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean remains a raw wound, but when it came to the premier tournament's last edition, thanks to Virender Sehwag's scorching 175, India humbled the host in the inaugural match at Dhaka.
History's mixed signs will temper India's overwhelming optimism though the team has a distinct edge when it clashes with Bangladesh in the Asia Cup match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Friday.
The pressure though is entirely on Bangladesh as a defeat would mean curtains for the host.
Mushfiqur Rahim's men had their moments against Pakistan in the opening clash on Sunday but froze when in sight of victory.
Too much hinges on Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan though players like Mushfiqur, Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Mahmudullah have the ability.
Feeling good
India's journey meanwhile is all about regaining the feel-good emotion created by winning the last World Cup. The subsequent dip, especially overseas, has thwarted the squad's bid to bludgeon rivals and the Asia Cup offers the first opportunity to slowly find a way back to the top.
The 50-run triumph against Sri Lanka, fashioned by Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli's runs and R. Ashwin's spells, will keep India in good stead, but the manner in which Mahela Jayawardene scattered the seamers remains an area for concern.
Irfan Pathan did get four wickets, but it had more to do with poor batting judgement. A victory here will strengthen India's passage to the summit clash, but a clearer picture will emerge after Sunday's face-off against Pakistan.
M.S. Dhoni's men trained here for more than three hours and Ravindra Jadeja hoisted a few out of the practice zone. He needs to replicate this bravado on the field too while the Men in Blue continue their efforts to get over the scars of the Commonwealth Bank Series.
The teams (from):
India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan and Ashoke Dinda.
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Elias Sunny, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Anamul Haque.
Match starts at 1.30 p.m. IST.
