Cricket World Cup: High-Riding India Hold All Cards Over Bangladesh

Defending champions India steam into Thursday's quarter-final against first-timers Bangladesh with the momentum of an unbeaten six-game pool run as the World Cup becomes cut-throat. (Full World Cup Coverage | Fixtures)

India have reached the knockout rounds in unexpected ebullient form after their dismal win-less Test and one-day tour of Australia just prior to the World Cup to join New Zealand as the only unbeaten teams left in the marathon tournament. (Tigers Relish Showdown With 'Big Brother' India)

It would be a considerable upset if ninth-ranked Bangladesh, who muddled through almost the entire last year beating only Zimbabwe in Tests or ODIs, can dethrone the champions. (Mortaza Wary of India's Strong Batting Line-up)

Bangladesh can count among their three wins in 28 ODI encounters against their neighbours and an upset five-wicket win in the pool stages at the 2007 tournament in the West Indies. (India vs Bangladesh: Top-5 Battles)

Given the atmospherics and in the vast intimidating arena of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it will be some effort from the Bangladeshis to repeat that, but they point out it is a one-off, there's no second chance and things might fall in place. (Bangladesh to battle Odds and Crowd vs India)

India have been transformed by the batting of Shikhar Dhawan (337 at 56.16) and Virat Kohli (301 at 75.25), while Mahendra Singh Dhoni has regained his touch as a clear-thinking finisher allied to his steely leadership.

India's bowlers struggled for two months in Australia before the World Cup, but have dismissed the opposition in every single World Cup game so far, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav all into double figures of wickets.

Plenty in the Indian team are contributing and therein lies Bangladesh's stiff task of pulling off their finest victory under the circumstances of a pressure sudden-death match at the MCG. (Statistical Preview)

"We have the same kind of pressure (as playing at home in the last World Cup)," Dhoni said. (India Not Taking Bangladesh Lightly, Says Raina)

"Irrespective of which team we play or which tournament we play, we are under pressure.

"The good thing, the boys are quite used to it. A few times, there have been instances where we are down, but from that position, also, we have come back strongly and we have done well."

The big prize could be a likely Sydney semi-final with Australia, if the co-hosts can overcome the 1992 champions Pakistan in Adelaide on Friday.

While the two-time champion Indians are familiar with the pressure of sudden-death World Cup cricket, this will be Bangladesh's first quarter-final.

There could be anything up to 80,000-90,000 fans at the MCG this week, many of them Indians and Bangladeshis creating a pulsating atmosphere, something not out of place on the sub-continent.

"Everyone is excited about the game but as a professional unit we must focus on the task ahead," skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said. "It's a chance to show the world that we are among the top teams." (Mortaza Wary of India's Strong Batting Line-up)

Vice-captain and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan refuses to be undaunted by the massive challenge.

"India have a very good team, they are the defending world champions, they've got some world class players but we're doing well in this World Cup, our confidence is high enough and we're up for the match," Shakib said.

"Obviously, on pen and paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh, no-one has any doubt about it.

"But on the day it's a one-off game and if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know."

It's been a special tournament for Bangladesh with confidence high inside the camp after their three wins and rained-out point with Australia

They sent their country into raptures with their stunning 15-run victory to knock England out of the tournament and lock in on a quarter-final berth.

"In the subcontinent, people always expect a lot from you and because we're playing well there is some expectation," Shakib said.