There are no easy games in international cricket, but India if were asked who they’d have wanted as their first opponents to work their way into the Champions Trophy, they would not have ruled Bangladesh out. That wouldn’t have been out of disrespect for the Bangladeshis, who can be dangerous opponents when the mood seizes them. It’s more because history and current rankings point to a vast gulf between the sides.

India have won 32 and lost just eight of 41 matches in the 50-over format between the sides. They are the No. 1 ODI side right now, while Bangladesh are a distant ninth, and even though Bangladesh have remarkably won three of the last five head-to-heads, India came out trumps in the last ODI between the teams, at the 2023 World Cup in Pune.