India and Bangladesh square off against each other in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2017 at Birmingham on Thursday (15 June 2017). India brought on their ‘A’ game against South Africa and booked their 5th semi-final spot in 8 Champions Trophy editions. Bangladesh, on the other hand, won their last game against New Zealand with a 5-wicket win to secure their place in the semis after England knocked out Australia. Ahead of this big encounter, let us go through the best 5 matches from the time they started competing in ODIs.
The two countries have squared off on 33 occasions against the other. The Men-in-Blue have won 26 games while ther Asian Tigers have emerged triumphant on 5 occasions. Two games have produced a no-result.
Here’s a look at some of historical ODIs between these two sides:
Bangla Tigers shock India in their 2007 World Cup opener:
When India faced Bangladesh in their first match of 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, not many would have predicted what was about to happen next. After winning the toss, Rahul Dravid decided to bat at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad but the star-studded line-up failed to post a huge total. India were all-out for 191 with only Sourav Ganguly (66) managing to hit a 50 while Yuvraj supported him with a valuable 47. In reply, Bangladesh’s young opener, Tamim Iqbal led the charge with a half-century to set-up the chase. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan scored individual 50s as well to register a famous win for the Bangla Tigers by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare. (Credits: Cricinfo)
Indian batsmen make the perfect start to the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
Favourites India started their 2011 WC with a resounding win over Bangladesh in Dhaka. Virender Sehwag (175) and Virat Kohli (100*) helped India post a mammoth total of 370. In reply, Bangladesh’s top-order started strongly but lost their way in the latter half of the chase courtesy Munaf Patel’s 4/48. In the end, India went on to win the match by 87 runs. (Credits: Cricinfo)
Stuart Binny’s wonder spell helps India snatch victory
Taskin Ahmed took a 5-fer (5/28) on debut to bowl India for just 105 runs on 17th June 2014 in Dhaka. Just as the Indian fans lost all hopes of winning the match, there was a surprise in store for them. Stuart Binny had some other plans as he, literally, swung the match in India’s favour. Binny finished with outstanding figures of 6/4 in 4.4 overs, the best ever for an Indian bowler in ODIs. Mohit Sharma took the remaining 4 wickets as Bangladesh were bundled out for 58 in 17.4 overs, their lowest total in ODI history. (Credits: Cricinfo)
India secure a semi-final berth in 2015 World Cup
Bangladesh continued to impress in the ICC events as they entered the knockout stage in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. They had a tough task ahead of them as they faced an unbeaten India side who were playing impressive cricket at Melbourne in the quarter final. Led by Rohit Sharma’s brilliant 137 and some late power-hitting by Suresh Raina (65) & Ravindra Jadeja (23*), India put on 302 in their 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh failed to put a strong performance as the Indian bowlers led by Umesh Yadav’s 4/31 helped Indian win the match by 109 runs (Credits: Cricinfo) and progress to the semis.
Mustafizur ‘cuts’ through India’s batting
Bangladesh were a much improved unit with excellent players in the team till 2015 and they showed that as they put up 307 in the first ODI played on 18th June 2015. Bangladesh’s mystery bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, on ODI debut, grabbed the headlines with his cutters & bamboozled the Indians. Rahman picked up 5/50 in his first International match and rightly got the Man of the Match award as India lost the game by 79 runs (Credits: Cricinfo) despite a 95-run opening stand between Shikhar Dhawan & Rohit Sharma. Bangladesh had found their new star in Mustafizur as they continued their surge in world cricket.
Only time will tell as to what will happen between these two neighbouring countries in their 4th ICC ODI event meet on 15th June, but it promises to be a thrilling encounter!
