WC 2011: When Fireworks From Sehwag’s Bat Demolished Bangladesh’s Tower Of Jubilancy

After a gap of around 15 years, the Indian subcontinent was witnessing Cricket World Cup being hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and India was the most dominating team among all.

The Men in Blue had developed a lot under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and were one of the top teams in the ODI format. The World Cup squad was filled with experienced youngsters and the opening tie was scheduled to play between India and Bangladesh.

The same Bangladesh, who trashed India mercilessly in the 2007 World Cup in West Indies, and India were ousted from the world cup in the league stage.

Indian batting came to nothing in their encounter against minnows Bangladesh. The Indian bowling was made a mockery by the Bangladeshi batsmen when their chase started.

It hit the Indian sentiments so badly and they were devastated by this loss, which none could believe at that time. The world came to a shocking state after that result. Bangladesh was over jubilant from this success and made it to the quarter-finals.

And now, the world cup 2011 kickstarted at Sher-E-Bangla stadium, Mirpur with a bang for Indian supporters and the match witnessed the vow of Indian opening batter Virender Sehwag.

The Indian team came on the field with a lesson to teach the Bangladeshis as Sehwag was in full swing to show what the difference lies between the two cricketing countries.

The fireworks from Sehwag’s bat started in the first over of the tournament itself plundering 12 runs in that over. He came with a blistering knock whacking the Bangla bowlers all around the park, leaving no margin for error for the bowlers. The sixes and fours were raining and the home team supporters tears were draining on their cheeks. Sehwag blasted 175 off 140 deliveries.

As a result of Kohli’s and Sehwag’s century, India plundered a mammoth total of 370 well beyond the reach of Bangladesh’s fragile batting line-up. And it proved to be the same when they never actually seemed in the race to achieve the target. The hosts could not recover from the effect of Sehwag’s destruction as they fell 88 runs short.

After the match, Sehwag revealed that his plan was to bat the entire duration of 50 overs and he nearly achieved what he set out to do.

This match was deemed as a payback time for the Indian team and as a huge chance to get revenge for their 2007 world cup opener debacle against Bangladesh.