The Rise of Bangla Tigers Spells Doom for India, Pakistan

Winning one ODI against a stronger opposition may be a stroke of luck. Defeating a giant to claim a series take a lot more. And to beat two former World Champions in two successive ODI series shows that Bangladesh cricket team is not just  riding on luck but on skill and passion as well. Even as the 'minnows' celebrate vanquishing their south-Asian neighbours in a matter of just over two months, the opposition camp paints a picture of utter despair. (Match 2 Report | Highlights | As it Happened)

When Pakistan came calling in April, they were sent back howling. The hosts won each of the three ODIs played in Dhaka and followed it up with triumph in the solitary T20I. Such was the deep impact of the losses that the Pakistani cricket fraternity called for swift and sensational changes in the team. "They have technical and mental issues. They don't know how to construct a knock," former captain Ramiz Raja had said of Pakistan's performance. He went on to describe the effort in Bangladesh as "embarrassing" and the "lowest point in our international history." Many even called for newly-appointed captain Azhar Ali to be sacked but a few like Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq kept insisting that bygones are bygones. "There's no point looking back," Misbah had said before the Tests which the tourists won 1-0.

India's ODI captain is now under similar pressure. No stranger to facing a whitewash on foreign soil, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been criticized heavily in the past as well. What he has not experienced though is a string of defeats in familiar territory, against a lower-ranked Bangladesh and adverse results despite commanding a full-strength squad. He quit Tests to concentrate on ODIs but the Bangla Tigers' mammoth roar has destroyed all focus sought. The questions are growing, the fingers are lifting and being Dhoni,  once again, is outrightly tough. "If I am the reason for all the bad that is happening to Indian cricket, definitely I would love to step away and play as a player," Dhoni said after his side lost the second ODI to Bangladesh on Sunday, and conceded the three-match series. "I was never really in line to become a captain. It was a job or responsibility for me. I have taken that responsibility. If they want to take it away, I am happy to give it away." ('Fearless' Bangladesh celebrate rare consistent run)

While many may argue that blaming Dhoni for the shock defeats will not address the issue at hand, the captain will have to once again shoulder the maximum weight. In the electric world of south-Asian cricket, frenzied expectations know no Dhoni, no Misbah and surely no Azhar Ali. Winning is everything and right now, Bangladesh team is showing the way. "Cricket is all about mind games. I think we are all playing good cricket at the moment, especially with our head in the right place," captain Mashrafe Mortaza told reporters on Sunday. (Also read: India series win our biggest achievement, says Mortaza)

Cricket though is a great leveler. Mortaza is now where Dhoni and Misbah have been in the past. Being consistent with consistency though is a herculean task - one that all three nations have struggled with through the decades of playing international cricket.