Bangladesh v India
The Indians in Bangladesh, 2004-05
Amit Varma
15-Apr-2005
At Dhaka, December 26, 2004 (day/night). Bangladesh won by 15 runs. Toss: Bangladesh.
This was the most startling day of India's tour, as a depleted side - missing Tendulkar, Dravid,
Harbhajan and Pathan - slid to a sensational 15-run defeat. Bangladesh had never won before at
home, and this was only their third victory against a Test-playing nation, following victories over
Pakistan at the 1999 World Cup and Zimbabwe in 2003-04. For once, 40,000 baying fans at the
Bangabandhu had their dreams realised. The upset seemed entirely improbable when Bangladesh
slipped to 88 for five, but the tail wagged vigorously, thanks to 67 from the supple-wristed Aftab
Ahmed. Even a second-string Indian side should have had no difficulty chasing 230 on an easy
pitch against gentle bowling. But they did not factor in the Bangladeshi spirit: their fielders fought
for every run, clawed every catch, and struck the stumps every time they had to. The top three
failed, and the middle order, led by Sriram, eked out a painful existence. Suddenly, the required
rate climbed to a run-a-ball, and when Kaif ran himself out, the wheels came off, and Dhaka went
wild. But even this triumph was badly timed: it was the day of the Asian tsunami, and the result
was barely noticed across a traumatised continent.
Man of the Match: Mashrafe bin Mortaza.
Amit Varma is interactive editor of Cricinfo