Road ahead for Dravid's boys: Tough but possible

By John Cheeran
When Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in the 1999 World Cup held in England, Wasim Akram's boys went on to contest the final against Australia. They eventually lost the final.
Bangladesh has beaten India for the first time in a World Cup contest in the West Indies, fair and square, by five wickets. The result has come to Indians all over the world as a rude jolt.
It is significant that on the same day, the other subcontinental giants, Pakistan, lost to Ireland and was knocked out of the World Cup for the second time successively in the first round of the competition.
There should be no shame in a defeat.
But defeat to neighbours and minnows Bangladesh should spell disaster for captain Rahul Dravid.
May be 2007 World Cup is pretty well over for Dravid's boys. Even if they manage to beat Bermuda and Sri Lanka there is no certainty that India will reach Super Eight. Unless Bermuda beat Bangladesh. That will have situation with three teams having four points from two wins each.
Do India have the firepower to shell shock both Bermuda and Sri Lanka and keep alive their campaign for the World Cup?
India's bowling is weak, and Tamim Iqbal showed his contempt for the likes of Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar on Saturday. Batting failed India at the Port of Spain, but 191 should have been enough for Indian bowlers to rouse themselves and grab those 10 wickets.
Pity, they could not even force Bangladesh struggle for their runs.
Sri Lankans will be eager to twist the knife into Indian bowlers' backs when the two sides meet on March 23.
The responsibility to carry India forward into the Super Eight now rests with the Indian batsmen.
India can beat Sri Lanka but that will require a wholehearted effort, and the nous to brave the odds.
But world champions are made of such stuff.