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Teen work embarrasses Dravid & co

Bangladesh tarnished the reputation of the Indian batsmen as well as bowlers to record a stunning victory on Saturday. It is undoubtedly India's most humiliating defeat in a one-day tournament.

  • By K.R. Nayar, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:37 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Reuters
  • Indian captain Rahul Dravid's expression says it all as he leaves the ground after Bangladesh won their Group B match in one of the greatest one-day upsets on Saturday.

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Bangladesh tarnished the reputation of the Indian batsmen as well as bowlers to record a stunning victory on Saturday. It is undoubtedly India's most humiliating defeat in a one-day tournament.

The Bangladesh bowlers, with hardly any experience of one-day matches, literally chewed up most of the reputed Indian batsmen. One by one they fell, unable to cope with either their pace or spin.

It was hard to believe that India would put up such a pathetic performance. They virtually bowed before the fighting spirit of Bangladesh, who entered the field like champions and walked out with their heads held high.

On the other hand, the burning desire to win the match was not evident among the Indians.

Thousand of West Indians of Indian origin had come to support India, but Bangladesh won their hearts through their spirited display. So pathetic was India's performance that towards the end, they began cheering for Bangladesh.

Some of the Indian fans who had travelled from various islands and even the USA, left the ground in disgust even before the action finished.

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The day before this match, Habibul Bashar, the Bangladesh skipper had told Gulf News that his "team does not have superstars but he does have players who can help win matches." And they did just that...if not more.

Most of Bashar's boys are below 19, and they just whipped the Indian attack. When 17-year-old opener Tamim Iqbal was in full flow, the Indian bowlers could do nothing to stop him.

His shots were clean and well-timed. He set up such a brilliant run rate that India could not even work out a strategy to check the run flow.

Eighteen-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim showed maturity much beyond his age to score an unbeaten 56 while 19-year-old Saqibul Hasan cracked 53. These three youngsters treated the Indian bowling attack with absolute contempt.

This victory has announced that Bangladesh is on their way to climb up the ranking.

India will now have to shed their superstars' trappings and work hard to regain their reputation.

Bangladesh coach Dave Whatmore had earlier transformed Sri Lankans into world champions. Is it Bangladesh's turn this time?

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