IT NEARLY did not happen. But when the stands went quiet, you knew India were going to pull through. While Bangladesh were in control, for most of the match, the cheering from the stands had been defeaning. And when M.S. Dhoni completed the formality of the winning run on Thursday, not a sound was heard from the audience at the Sher-E-Bangla stadium. But nature made up for it with a loud thunderclap -- seemingly a salute to Dhoni's valiant 91 not out, which gave India a face-saving five-wicket.

The three-hour knock was remarkable. Not only did Dhoni save India from almost certain defeat, he did it in extremely hot and humid conditions. He did it although he could feel the cramps in his legs. He did it after he had kept wickets for 47 overs. While Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik deserve the hosannas, the way India struggled before these two took the game away from Bangladesh was worrying.

All day, except at the end, a congregation of defeaning sounds was heard -- drums, pipes, claps, whistles. Many in the audience sported the Bangladeshi flag in some form. India's well-wishers could only watch in fury and disbelief as the team seemed to careen towards one more humiliation. Thankfully, there was Dhoni.

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