The remark was not just only in bad taste but also unbecoming of a visiting team official. Granted, the Indians are on a rehab and therapeutic mission to salvage some pride after a disastrous and foolhardy mission to the WC where they were put in their place not just by Bangladesh but Sri Lanka too. A team that could not reach 200 runs in two out of three matches inspite of boasting of the most egoistic batting lineups in international cricket is obviously suffering from an aggro based inferiority complex. Granted, the big mean batting machine spluttered to life just in time to spare the blushes of a billion aggrieved souls when finally the batting clicked and the full might of the newest cricket superpower Bermuda succumbed to it. Show no mercy, did I hear someone say? Strange, mercy was exactly the sentiment the Indians were expecting from Bermuda, as they hoped this nation with a population of just enough population to fit inside the Eden Gardens, would beat Bangladesh. Without saying so in so many words, Bangladesh naturally showed no mercy.

Take no prisoners, did I hear that too? For the better part of the 1st ODI the Bangladesh team controlled the match. Had it not been for a missed run out, and the fact that our captain's thought processes were on an extended sabbatical that afternoon, the Indians would certainly have been biting the dust. Like it or not, it was the Indians who broke out of jail because the warden Habibul Bashar was looking the other way. We missed out on a whole lot of prisoners that day.

Let us come now to the bottom line. I for one am sick and tired of hearing about Bangladesh's supposed lack of grit and ability to survive at the top level of the game. This is what we hear incessantly from cricket experts and commentators from all those ubiquitous TV channels from across the border. Hey, take a deep breath gentlemen, and yes, lady, you too. When was the last time you won a test series outside the comfortable retreat of your home ground? About the same time Haley's comet was last sighted. For how long was India playing test cricket when they were 0 for 4 against England, arguably still the worst display of batting in test history? And what about that score of 42 all out at Lords. Even the song The Summer of 42 lasted longer than that innings.

Moral of the story, Bangladesh, remember if you beat anybody once, make sure you make it a habit. Never let up, the world of cricket is not for nice guys any longer. See, what happens, even the minnows talk big given half a chance. We can do it too. Given half a chance.

(The author is a former Bangladesh cricketer)