The clash between the Indian national cricket team and the Bangladesh national cricket team is more than just another fixture; it’s a story of rivalry, growth, and shifting fortune. In the 2007 World Cup, Bangladesh stunned India with a five-wicket victory, sending shockwaves through the subcontinent.
That win marked the beginning of a rivalry that would shape the Indian national cricket team versus the Bangladesh national cricket team timeline. Rooted in shared history and fuelled by ambition, this contest evolved from early mismatches to fierce battles that defined a generation.
Sourav Ganguly once said, “We know them well, but they know our weaknesses.” This rivalry isn’t about statistics alone; it is about belief, emotion, and the pride of two neighbouring nations.
The dawn of encounters: Pre-2000s foundations:
At first, India’s meetings with Bangladesh felt like formalities. Bangladesh earned full test status in 2000, and their first test match took place in Dhaka from 10th to 14th November 2000, where India won by nine wickets. Before that, they met in an ODI on 27 October 1988, India again won comfortably by nine wickets.
During this early phase, Bangladesh were still learning, while India were already experienced and confident. The early results in the India national cricket team versus the Bangladesh national cricket team timeline reflected that clearly. Bangladesh celebrated their test debut with enthusiasm, while India approached the series with authority. These initial encounters built the reputation and laid the foundation of the rivalry and defined expectations for years to come.
The 2007 Bangladesh World Cup miracle
The turning point arrived in the 2007 World Cup when Bangladesh shocked India on 17th March in Port-of-Spain. Chasing 191, Bangladesh reached the target with five wickets in hand, driven by Mashrafe Murtaza’s 4/38 and Tamim Iqbal’s 53. India collapsed badly, and the defeat changed the course of the India national cricket team versus the Bangladesh national cricket team timeline.
The loss caused turmoil back home; India’s coach Greg Chappell lost his job, and the team faced huge criticisms. For Bangladesh, the victory was a national celebration. Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid admitted, “It hurts, but credit to them.”Streets in Dhaka erupted with Joy, while Indian fans were left stunned. That one match transformed that rivalry from predictable to unpredictable.
Bangladesh’s 2010s breakthroughs
In the 2010s, Bangladesh began to challenge India more often, even as India remained dominant. In December 2014, India bowled Bangladesh out for 58, but the following year Bangladesh hit back with the 2-1 ODI series. Mustafizur Rahman’s 13 wickets earned him instant fame. That series became a defining chapter in the Indian national cricket team versus the Bangladesh national cricket team timeline.
At the 2015 World Cup quarter-final on 19th March in Melbourne, India won by 109 runs thanks to a solid performance from Rohit Sharma. Then came the 2016 T20 World Cup match in Bengaluru, where Bangladesh needed two runs from three balls, but crumbled under pressure, losing by one run.
MS Dhoni’s composure in that tense finish helped India go over the line. A year later, at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Birmingham, India hammered Bangladesh by 180 runs, with Rohit Sharma scoring an unbeaten 123, and Virat Kohli also finishing close to his century. These matches showed that Bangladesh were improving quickly, investing in academies and infrastructure after 2015, while India continued to thrive at the top.
T20 Sparks: Bangladesh’s lone victory and India’s stranglehold
In T20Is, the India national cricket team vs the Bangladesh national cricket team timeline reveals one-sided dominance. Out of 18 matches, India have won 17 and Bangladesh have won just one. That lone victory came on November 3, 2019, in Delhi, where Bangla Tigers chased down 149 comfortably and won by seven wickets. Soumya Sarkar top-scored with 39.
India re-established control soon after, crushing Bangladesh by 133 runs on October 12, 2024, in Hyderabad. The T20 format continues to attract young fans in both nations. Interestingly, Bangladesh’s only win arrived on the eve of Diwali, adding a touch of irony to the story.
Modern clashes: 2020s – Present
As the rivalry moved into the 2020s, the matches became more competitive. In December 2022, Bangladesh won an ODI series 2-1 in Dhaka thanks to Mehidy Hasan’s all-round brilliance. However, India responded in the Test series the same month, winning by three wickets after a vital 71-run stand between Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer in the second game in Mirpur.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup group stage in Pune, India won by seven wickets as Kohli notched yet another century. Then, in the 2024 Test series in Kanpur, India secured another seven-wicket win to seal the series 2-0.
The much-anticipated 2025 white-ball tour of Bangladesh, originally scheduled for August 2025, was postponed to September 2026 due to scheduling issues. The boards mutually agreed to the reschedule. Despite that, both teams met in the Champions Trophy 2025 and the Asia Cup in 2025. India won both matches comfortably. These matches promise to extend the rivalry with fresh storylines and new faces.
Statistical Snapshots
As of October 2025, India have won 13 out of the 15 Test matches between the two sides, and there have been two draws/no-result games. Meanwhile, India have won 34 out of the 43 ODI matches between the two sides, with Bangladesh winning eight, and one match ending without any result. In T20Is, India and Bangladesh have played 18 T20Is so far, and the Men in Blue have won 17, while the Tigers have won just one. These figures prove the dominance gap between these two sides.
Icons and immortal moments
The rivalry has produced some of the most memorable performances in modern cricket. For India, Virat Kohli has scored more than 1200 runs against Bangladesh, while Rohit Sharma has tormented their attack as an opener. Shakib-Al-Hasan has been their go-to-performer and Mustafizur Rahman their big-game bowler.
Key moments such as the 2016 Bengaluru heartbreak, where Bangladesh lost by one run, Kohli’s 2023 World Cup century in Pune, and the 2007 shock victory in Port-of-Spain all stand as symbols of this rivalry. Rohit Sharma once remarked that he respects Bangladesh’s fight, which is a sign that the rivalry is built on both competition and respect.
Cultural impact and simmering rivalries
The rivalry influence stretches beyond cricket grounds. After 2007, Bangladesh experienced a boom in cricket enthusiasm and tourism. Social media added a new dimension as hashtags like #INDvsBAN dominated feeds.
Controversies also surfaced – rain-affected matches in 2015, umpiring debates, and emotional responses from fans on both sides. Former captain Habibul Basher once said, “Beating India is like winning Independence again.” The rivalry has become a symbol of national identity for many Bangladeshi fans and a measure of consistency for India.
What lies beyond 2025?
The future chapter of the India national cricket team vs Bangladesh national cricket team timeline looks fascinating. Bangladesh’s young players like Tanzid Hasan Shakib and Rishad Hossain are emerging strongly, while India continues to build depth with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
The rescheduled Bangladesh tour for 2026 may serve as a fresh stage for both teams to renew their rivalry. Meanwhile, can Bangladesh win a series in India? Only time will tell.
Final Take:
From India’s early dominance to Bangladesh’s stunning victories and the tight contests of recent years, the India national cricket team vs Bangladesh national cricket team timeline captures a story of pride, heart, and relentless competition.
Every boundary, every wicket, and every cheer tells a story of hope and belief. This rivalry thrives because it represents the joy of the chase and the courage of the underdog. Revisit these battles and share your favourite moment – which match still lives in your memory? Tell your story and join the conversation as this timeless contest continues.
