Subhayan Chakraborty in Pune
The India-Bangladesh on-field rivalry has become one of the most followed and talked-about battles in recent times. As both the teams gear up to lock horns in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup encounter at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, one would expect a close game, plenty of sledges and banter between fans. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz ahead of what promises to be a high-decibel clash, Mohammad Ashraful, former Bangladesh captain, talked about why India-Bangladesh is a modern-day rivalry, that 2007 World Cup win, the Tamim Iqbal-Shakib Al Hasan controversy, his semi-final prediction and much more:
Excerpts:
Subhayan Chakraborty: What’s your take on the growing on-field rivalry between India and Bangladesh?
Mohammad Ashraful: Everyone says India-Pakistan is the biggest rivalry, but if you ask me, India and Bangladesh have produced some cracking games in the recent past and is a bigger on-field rivalry than India-Pakistan. Since the 2007 World Cup, Bangladesh have produced some great matches and always bring their A game on the field when facing India. Even in the last T20 World Cup, Litton Das played an extraordinary knock. In the 2016 T20 World Cup we came close, but call it pressure or luck, we are not able to close out such games. It’ll again be a good game though India, like always, will have the crowd support, especially because they are playing at their home.
SC: Take us back to that win against India in the 2007 World Cup…
Ashraful: Oh, that was a memorable win. Trust me when I say this, but when we were leaving for the World Cup, each one of us had the belief that we’ll defeat India. And that’s what happened. It’s important to believe, and hopefully our boys will have that belief this time too. Mashrafe Mortaza bowled a phenomenal spell, and we had three half-centuries in that game. That win helped us start a new chapter in Bangladesh cricket. And we celebrated like crazy. And why not? If you look at that Indian team – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh – it was one of the greatest sides on paper. I’ll never forget that victory. Hopefully, our team will be able to pull off something like this here in Pune.
SC: What’s your opinion on the pre-World Cup controversy between Shakib and Tamim Iqbal? Do you feel Bangladesh are missing Tamim?
Ashraful: I feel this team is missing Tamim Iqbal. Our top order hasn’t performed well so far, and Tamim could have made a huge difference. He has been one of the crucial players to take Bangladesh to greater heights. But to be honest, he was unfortunate as well for not being 100 per cent fit. But the interviews and public statements from both Shakib and Tamim could have been avoided, especially before a World Cup.
SC: Shakib has said this could be his last 50-over World Cup. Should he continue in this format?
Ashraful: I don’t think this is Shakib’s last World Cup. He’s 36 and can easily play another World Cup. He’s a proper all-rounder, one of the best, and Bangladesh have not managed to produce a similar player of that calibre. He can fit in that bracket with Sachin Tendulkar and play six World Cups. I think he’ll focus on the next T20 World Cup, then the Champions Trophy, and then decide. But if you ask me, then I am pretty sure he’ll play the next 50-over World Cup.
SC: India have had a dream start in this World Cup. What should Bangladesh do to defeat India?
Ashraful: For Bangladesh to defeat India, they need to dismiss the top-order batters as early as possible. Rohit is in tremendous form, and it would be important to get him out. And when batting, how we handle Jasprit Bumrah will be crucial. If we can win small-small battles, then winning this match could become a reality. We have won three of the last four ODIs against India, so you can never rule out Bangladesh, especially against India.
SC: We have seen a few upsets and close games in this World Cup. What’s your top-four prediction?
Ashraful: For me, I had Australia in my top four before the World Cup, but now, it would be India, New Zealand, England and South Africa.