India take on Bangladesh in WC opener

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DHAKA: India are going into the opening match of the 2011 World Cup looking to exact revenge on fellow co-hosts Bangladesh.

The Tigers stunned India four years ago as the 1983 winners crashed out in the group stage of the competition.

The two sides meet again in Mirpur on Saturday in the opening match of the 10th World Cup.

"We lost against them and we have been waiting for the moment when we will play against them in this World Cup," said India opener Virender Sehwag.

"I think so far we have lost just one or two games against Bangladesh - one in the World Cup and maybe one in Bangladesh. So our record against them is very good."

India are in prime form following resounding warm-up victories over Australia and New Zealand.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has one of the strongest line-ups in the tournament but admitted he was wary of the threat posed by Bangladesh's trio of left-arm spinners - captain Shakib Al Hasan, the experienced Abdur Razzak and the upcoming Suhrawadi Shuvo.

"They have three specialist left-arm spinners apart from some part-timers and we have to play them well," he said.

Bangladesh have home advantage in their favour but have been weakened by the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza, who was instrumental in their victory four years ago but is missing the World Cup through a knee injury.

Nonetheless, Al Hasan is talking up his team's chances of reaching the knockout phase.

He said: "We've been playing good cricket for the last 15 months and if we qualify for the second round, why not think of something big?

"We have to win at least four matches to win a place in the second round. It is not difficult. I think we are capable of booking a place in the second round."

India and Bangladesh's Group B rivals are South Africa, England, West Indies, Ireland and Holland. (Online)