3 Dramatic Events That Ignited the India Bangladesh rivalry

In the early 2000s, India and Bangladesh were on friendly terms, in the same manner, as where India and Afghanistan are today. The BCCI stood by Bangladesh and helped them to become a competitive cricketing nation and fought for their test status. Like Afghanistan, Bangladesh too played their first test against India.

What then transpired between the two nations, and how did Bangladesh become India's rivals? Why has Bangladesh seemingly turned against the same nation that helped them to get where they are today in terms of cricket?

Here are the 3 major incidents that point out the two nations falling out with each other.

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#1. Bangladesh Defeating India in World Cup 2007:

Team India was left underwhelmed by their own performance

Until the 2007 World Cup, nobody took Bangladesh quite seriously. Bangladesh grew and flourished under the shadows of the BCCI, in return casting their vote in the BCCI's favour during each ICC election. Bangladesh was like a younger sibling who always did as per the instructions of its big brother in cricket - India.

After defeating India in 2007, thereby ruling them out of the tournament, this same team seemed to get an air of arrogance about them. They no longer wanted to be seen under the shadows of their elder brother and instead demanded an independent status and respect - something that they never had.

Bangladesh defeating India was much like a kid moving out of his dad's house trying to carve an identity for itself.

India was shocked by their early World Cup exit. The likes of Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dhoni, Zaheer, Yuvraj and Harbhajan took it upon themselves to never let it happen again.

They whitewashed Bangladesh in the series just following the World Cup and defeated them in the group stage match in the 2011 World Cup - thus avenging the rivalry. Sehwag sparking statements like 'Bangladesh is an ordinary team' just before the 2011 World Cup further intensified the fire within the Bangladesh team.

#2. Viral Image of Taskin carrying Dhoni's cut head:

The infamous rivalry with Mahendra Singh Dhoni

During a game in the 2016 Asia Cup, Dhoni had shoulder barged Mustafizur who was standing on his way while running a quick single.

Mustafizur lost balance and fell much to the Bangladeshi fans' dismay. Whether Dhoni purposely did it or Mustafizur purposely stood in Dhoni's path is a question of debate. However, what sparked after the match, right before the 2016 Asia Cup Final was a photoshopped image doing the rounds on social media where Dhoni's cut head was carried by an angry Taskin Ahmed.

The Bangladeshi fans, it seemed, went too far this time in showing their hatred, thereby further intensifying the rivalry and increasing bitterness towards India.

#3. 2016 WorldT20 match and 2018 Nidahas Trophy finals:

MS Dhoni displays his incredible capabilities behind the wicket

In the 2016 World T20 match against India, they were arguably the better side on the field. Yet, premature celebrations by Mushfiqur Rahim and a last over choke where the batsmen went for glory shots instead of singles, followed by a memorable Dhoni run-out on the last ball led to Bangladesh losing the match.

Bangladesh had taken it upon themselves to win the 2018 Nidahas trophy, after celebrating with the Naagin dance by knocking Sri Lanka out of the trophy.

With India, too, they were in a comfortable position, easing towards victory when India needed 34 to win off the final 2 overs. However, a blinder by Dinesh Karthik saw India finishing the game and an over-enthusiastic Bangladeshi side choking to defeat.

Given the rivalry between the two nations has never been hotter, it will be interesting to see what happens next when the two cricketing nations find themselves facing each other yet again.