Image Credit- AFP
Forget India vs Pakistan, or even Bangladesh vs Sri
Lanka; Bangladesh vs India has produced more flashpoints than them all since
the turn of the century, the rivalry cutting across age groups and gender.
2007
Anil Kumble ran into a 23-year-old Mashrafe Mortaza
before the first-ever World Cup match between the two teams and quipped that
India wouldn’t have much time between the World Cup, which ended on April 28,
and their tour of Bangladesh, which started on May 10. Kumble’s assumption that
India would advance in the tournament enraged Mortaza. He became motivated as a
result, and his two early wickets ensured that India would wrap up their
campaign in March and have a whole month to get ready for their tour of
Bangladesh.
2010
Bangladesh was enraged by this statement made by
India’s acting captain, Virender Sehwag, during their 2010 tour of Bangladesh:
“Bangladesh are an ordinary side. They are unable to take 20 wickets,
hence they cannot defeat India. Sehwag was forewarned by Bangladesh coach Jamie
Siddons that his remarks might turn on him. India did win both Test matches,
however the opening match saw them lose 18 wickets. Sehwag received jeers from
spectators.
2011
It appears that Kohli and Rubel have been at odds
since they were both under 19. The joke says that certain Hindi speakers might
hear Kohli’s catchphrase if you were to whisper the words “Ben
Stokes” when he mouthed something to Rubel during his century against
Bangladesh during the 2011 World Cup.
2015
Rohit Sharma, who would later score 137 in the 2015
World Cup match, dragged a full toss straight to deep midwicket at a crucial
phase, but he managed to survive when the umpires called a no-ball on height.
Replays indicated that wasn’t the case. The BCB president Nazmul Hassan
intended to file an appeal, the Bangladeshi fans protested, alleging a plot was
against them, and even Mustafa Kamal, the president of the International
Cricket Council, implied the umpires were biassed. It was complete chaos.
2016
At the 2016 T20 World Cup, a crucial Super 10s match
came down to the final over. Two boundaries moved Bangladesh to within two runs
of victory, which would have given them their first T20I victory over India and
also eliminated them from the World Cup. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah were
already jubilant. But India won by one run thanks to a hat trick of wickets.
Don’t give up until the very end, Suresh Raina tweeted following the match.
Don’t celebrate till you’ve won.
2022
The sides’ encounter in the Adelaide 2022 T20 World
Cup was halted by rain. While Bangladesh captain Shakib was spotted fighting
with the umpires and seemed to believe the conditions were too damp, Rohit was
eager to resume play. Litton Das slipped while turning when the players
re-entered the field, and he was eliminated.
In the same game, during India’s innings, Kohli
signalled a no-ball for height before the umpire called it, starting a lengthy
discussion with Shakib. The Bangladesh players later noted that Kohli faked a
throw during the chase, which was against the rules and ought to have resulted in
five penalty runs. India ultimately prevailed via DLS by a precise margin of
five runs.