Few defeats have hurt the Indians as much as their five-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup, a result that threw India out of the competition in the first stage itself.
India’s fans might have had a few palpitations when their team was drawn to play Bangladesh, again, in the inaugural match of the 2011 World Cup, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men showed few signs of nerves in front of an unashamedly pro-host crowd.
Thriving in the Sher-e-Bangla colosseum, India raced to an 87-run victory to begin their quest for a second World Cup crown in rip-roaring fashion.
Unsurprisingly, it was the one man who had openly spoken of revenge who sparkled the brightest on Saturday afternoon. Virender Sehwag talks much like he bats—in uncomplicated, unambiguous terms.
Having termed this a grudge match, the Indian vice-captain took it upon himself to lead the way, with an innings of such authority and composure that Bangladesh knew this was one fight they were not going to win. Sehwag’s stunningly crafted 175, the same score Kapil Dev had made against Zimbabwe during India’s memorable campaign in 1983, was the bedrock around which India compiled their insurmountable 370 for four to which Bangladesh replied with a bold 283 for nine, but the Indian batting wasn’t a one-man show. At 22, Virat Kohli is ten years younger than his senior Delhi colleague. Over the last year, the right-hander has batted with a maturity and poise that would do Sehwag proud. Kohli’s unbeaten 100, easily the most accomplished knock of a run-drenched 100 overs, was a veritable treat, wristy and imperious. It was also marked by industrious and energetic running as Kohli made the transition between accumulator and exploder with ridiculous ease.
Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to bowl first had been influenced by the possibility of dew later in the evening, but long before the ball became wet enough not to afford India’s specialist and part-time spinners any purchase, the issue had been settled. Sehwag and Kohli put on 203 for the third wicket, the fifth time an Indian pair has added 200 or more in World Cups. The vice-captain’s 14th century and his understudy’s fifth three-figure knock meant the second half of the contest held only academic interest.
Bangladesh made a fist of an impossible challenge, laying into S Sreesanth with ill-concealed gusto through the effervescent Imrul Kayes, but 371 was never really in their sights. India fielded laboriously but their other three specialist bowlers all bowled with control.
Sehwag was the obvious choice for the man of the match. While that delighted him, what made him happier was that revenge had been exacted, a score settled, and that too in Bangladesh’s own backyard.