Why Mahendra Singh Dhoni Gets an Extra Kick When Playing Bangladesh In World Cups

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has admitted that he still has painful memories of India's defeat to Bangladesh in the 2007 ODI (50-over) World Cup in the West Indies that ended with the team being knocked out of the tournament. 

India registered a thrilling last-ball one-run win over Bangladesh in Bangalore on Wednesday that kept their hopes alive of reaching the World T20.

However, Dhoni said that this win did nothing to erase the memories of the 2007 loss. (When Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni Lost His Temper)

"Whatever said and done we still remember the 2007 loss, reason being that we were playing good cricket and that was the point we were not able to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup," Dhoni told reporters.

"We are all human beings, I know we are professionals, but at the end of the day we also feel hurt when we haven't done well. ICC events happen every alternate year and you start preparing quite early and then if you don't qualify for the next stage, it becomes a bit disappointing." (World T20: Will India Make it to Semi-Finals? Yes, Say Sunil Gavaskar And Kumar Sangakkara)

On Wednesday, India were restricted to 146 for seven after being sent in to bat at Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Bangladesh came tantalisingly close to chasing down the total, but poor shots and three critical dismissals by Dhoni eventually saw the hosts scramble home by the slimmest of margins. (India vs Bangladesh World T20: Mahendra Singh Dhoni And Art of Managing Chaos)

Dhoni's last-ball sprint that stopped Bangladesh short in a humdinger of a contest has become one of the highlights of this World T20. Dhoni's super-human effort probably comes from the pain of the 2007 defeat.

"This victory doesn't erase the 2007 loss. You have to move on but that was something very harsh for us, especially me. It was a point where I felt life was very tough," Dhoni added.

Group 2 Dynamics

India's Super 10's victory bolsters their chances of reaching the semi-finals, but they must now defeat Australia on Sunday to secure a place in the final four.

Australia, meanwhile take on Pakistan in a must-win match on Friday. Australia have to beat Pakistan, which will result in a straight shootout against India for a place in the semis.

India currently have four points while Australia and Pakistan are on two points each. If Pakistan defeat Australia and India lose their final Group 2 match then all three teams will be tied on four points and it will boil down to run-rate.

New Zealand have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2 following three successive wins.