India have the chance to slay the demons of their 2007 defeat to Bangladesh, a loss that denied them a place in the Super Eight, when they clash with their neighbours today in the second quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup.
Since that embarrassing five-wicket loss at Port of Spain, India have beaten Bangladesh 11 times, including an 87-run mauling in Dhaka in the 2011 edition.
And yet, such was the significance of that defeat that the topic is bound to crop up whenever the two teams meet.
So, it was absolutely no surprise that the first question Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina faced during his pre-match press conference, was on the same issue.
“We are not looking to all of those, to be honest,” said Raina, who is getting married after the World Cup. “We’re looking at what we have to do tomorrow, and what we have done in our league matches.
“We just need to go there and express ourselves, and we have done well in batting, bowling and fielding. We have three games to go, and you can’t take Bangladesh lightly.
“They have done well against India, especially in ICC Trophy, and we lost against them in 2007, and we lost to them against in Asia Cup. They know how to play One Day cricket now.”
The 28-year-old Raina, normally bats at No5 but was asked to come in at No4 in the match against Pakistan, in which he made a crucial contribution of 74 in 56 balls. And later, in India’s last league match against Zimbabwe, he made a century to guide his side to a challenging victory.
After the Pakistan match, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he wanted more players like Raina to play the role of floaters in the line-up – someone who can come in at any number depending on the situation.
When asked what he felt about his role, Raina said: “I think it depends on the coach and the captain, what they are asking me to do. We have always had a lot of meetings before the main games on what sort of bowling attack they have, and what sort of batting one has to do, or how to attack the tail-ender.
“As for batting at No4, I just need to see myself in before the batting Powerplay. I need to spend more time on the wickets so I can play my strokes later on. I think I’ve done that really in the last couple of years.
“Whatever the team needs me to do, I need to prepare myself because at the end the day, if Team India wins that’s what is more important than you batting at four, five or six. You need to give your best shot whether you’re playing at four, five or six.”
With several left-handed batsmen in Bangladesh team, Raina will also be expected to bowl a lot in today’s match.
“I just look forward to bowl to the left-handers. I just need to give some good overs to the skipper, and at the same time, I need to maintain the pressure. My role is just to bowl stump-to-stump and make the pressure for the other bowlers to take wickets,” he added.
It was raining last night in Melbourne and there is 70 per cent chance of further rains today in the evening. However, if the match is hampered by weather, the teams will continue the match tomorrow (Friday).
