The high-flying Bangladeshis had a hard landing on March 6, when the MS Dhoni-led India defeated them pretty convincingly in the end, by eight wickets, with seven balls to spare to lift the Asia Cup T20 in Mirpur.
Bangladesh had made 120/5 in 15 overs, in a rain-curtailed match, after Dhoni won the toss and put the opponent in. The total looked stiff, but was not enough for the Indians, who romped home in style.
Some mischievous Bangladeshi fans posted a very objectionable picture on social media before the all-important final which had Bangla pacer Taskin Ahmad holding up a severed head of the Indian captain Dhoni.
This image posted on social media was at the centre of all the controversy. |
If the Bangladeshis thought the post would unnerve the Indians and Dhoni, of all people, they couldn't have been more infantile.
Ironically, it was the same Dhoni who bludgeoned the Bangla attack in the end, hitting an unbeaten 20 off a mere six balls with two towering sixes and a four, finishing off any hope that Bangladesh may have had. It was poetic justice and perhaps a lesson for Bangladesh to learn. A lesson that you don't take your jibes at your opponents to far.
While the Dhoni-Taskin post made for an interesting sub-plot, there was also a bigger picture, and it was that India has won the Asia Cup for the sixth time, and look in red hot form, going into the World T20, starting from March 8.
Shikhar Dhawan (60 off 44 balls), and Virat Kohli (unbeaten 41 off 28 balls) helmed India's chase, before Dhoni's blitzkrieg snuffed the life out of Bangladesh.
Twitter was cock-a-hoop at India's victory. Here is a collection of tweets that celebrate Team Dhoni's title triumph at Mirpur:
Well done Dhoni & team. You can put the Asia Cup in the cupboard. But make sure there's place, because in a month, one more cup is coming.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 7, 2016
Congratulations to the Indian Cricket Team on winning the T 20 Asia Cup 2016 & making the country proud.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 7, 2016
India have emerged much stronger after the Asia Cup. Many matchwinners and batting looking very powerful.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2016
The best team won the Micromax Asia Cup and that is how it should be
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 6, 2016
Congratulations to Team India & Captain @msdhoni on winning Asia Cup T 20 title in a spectacular way. Nation feels proud of glorious feat.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) March 6, 2016
Nothing would tease the Bangladeshis better than an update "would you like to upgrade your adobe photoshop now?"#IndvsBan
— A la vile de Satara (@AdvancedMaushi) March 6, 2016
Photoshop 0 - Dhoni 1#AsiaCupT20Final
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 6, 2016
Well, This head just bit the collective Ass of Bangladesh. #IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/DhRpabn6om
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 6, 2016
Here guys, I fixed it :) #AsiaCupT20Final #IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/CshnSuzXJn
— Chirag Barjatya (@chiragbarjati) March 6, 2016
PM Modi writes to Bangladesh Cricket team: "Photoshop by idiots got you in trouble? Same pinch"
— The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) March 6, 2016
Shocking......Disgusting.....Patheitc.....Quality of photoshop on this one. #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/iNanwi7vkr
— cricBC (@cricBC) March 6, 2016