India’s ‘Big Brother’ aura is fading slowly, especially in the case of its bilateral cricket relations with Bangladesh. After its unprecedented series loss to a once-minnow (defeats in the first two one-day internationals of the three-match series), it is high time India acknowledged the growing stature of the Tigers.
For years, many believe the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has treated Bangladesh as a minor side and dictated terms unilaterally.
Since Bangladesh’s elevation as a Test nation 15 years ago — thanks mostly to then-International Cricket Council (ICC) President Jagmohan Dalmiya — India has travelled the neighbouring country for five Test series and four bilateral one-day series. But, so far, India has never invited Bangladesh over to play a Test or one-day series.
Bangladesh coach from Sri Lanka Chandika Hathurasinghe nicely puts the whole picture in perspective while talking about the new-age India-Bangladesh rivalry. “Always when your younger brother competes with your older brother, there is a bit of a thing. They (India) always look at Bangladesh as the younger nation playing cricket. Now we are competing with big teams.”
The reason behind Bangladesh’s rise in one-day cricket is its consistency, high level of intensity and perfect execution of plans.
The way Bangladesh clung on to its plans and constantly applied pressure on India to win the first two ODIs, it shattered the myth regarding the latter’s supremacy in the sub-continent.
A clueless India just scrambled around in search of a solution, but it could not find one. Maybe, the answer lies within. Maybe, it has to see what it can do in order to rise to the changing demands of the game.
Rohit Sharma recently spoke about the change in approach in world cricket and the game going to another level. Perhaps, India needs to step up to the demands of the new world order and react to the changing situation in the 50-over format.
Many may assess the series defeat to Bangladesh as a new low for Indian cricket, but there is no shame in losing to a side that played better cricket and outsmarted India in all departments of the game.
In the past, Indian cricket had experienced other low points including the early exit in the 2007 World Cup and the Test loss to Zimbabwe in 1998-99. But the team had fought back from these difficult situations and may do the same on this occasion as well.
Having faced the trouble themselves, the Indian players know how much Bangladesh has improved as a one-day side. “From the first time we lost to Bangladesh, compared to the team that played the last couple of games, there have been lots of improvements. They have very good bowlers now. Initially, they used to rely on spinners, but now they have a set of fast bowlers who can do the job. But, they also have spinners if needed,” said Dhoni.
It's time the BCCI tried to accept the reality and started giving Bangladesh the prestige it deserved. In a way, it will be the beginning of a new thinking process that may re-energise the whole system and help the team perform with renewed motivation.
