Bangladesh have their task cut out as they take on a rampaging India in the STAR Cricket Asia Cup in Karachi on Saturday.

Even though the year has been the one for the underdogs, Bangladesh is not expected to join the party as yet, more so with India showing ominous signs to stamp their authority over the subcontinental rivals.

Team India's confidence will be sky high after a clinical display against Pakistan. The arch-rivals and hosts were ruthlessly crushed as Dhoni's men sent the Pakistan bowlers on a leather hunt.

The Bangladesh bowlers, who too were carted to all parts of the park by the Lankans in their group match, will be having nightmares thinking of a certain Virender Sehwag, who along with Gautam Gambhir makes up arguably the best opening pair in one-dayers in world cricket now.

Sehwag's blitzkreig knock that had left the Pakistan seamers gasping for breath is sure to send shivers down the spine of Mashrafe Mortaza and company.

Youngster Suresh Raina at number three is in sublime touch. His six off Rao Iftikhar Anjum over mid-off is the type of shot that remains etched in the memory for years to come. Not only has he looked comfortable at his newly elevated position, but also seems to be the perfect foil for either of the openers in case of an early wicket. However, if he does come in after a start, he can be doubly dangerous with his mind firmly set on accelerating the scoring even more.

MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma and the T20 sensation Yusuf Pathan form the core of a middle order that's good enough to scare the opposition even before the match starts.

The Indian bowling though leaves a lot to be desired, despite Piyush Chawla's turn and guile. He and RP Singh have looked as the most incisive bowlers and that too in patches. Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar will need to fire on all cylinders in the Super Four stage to ensure India are not faced with chasing big totals. The responsibility of containing and picking wickets is with them and the match against Bangladesh is the perfect opportunity to ring back the form.

Bangladesh, who upset India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, have not shown any improvement in their game since then.

In their heart of hearts even Bangladesh would know that they are in this stage of the tournament not because they have the potential to be here but because of the format.

Even their decision making has not been up to the mark. Choosing to field after winning the toss against the mighty Lankan batting attack on a wicket where they scored a 300 the previous day stands testimony to the bankruptcy in their decision making department.

Apart from Mohammad Ashraful no other batsman looks good to withstand the likes of Ishant and RP. Their bowling attack too looks a bit sedate. Even though Mortaza, Razzak and Shahadat Hossain have done considerably well, they are not expected to trouble the Indian batsmen on current form.

The only chink in the Indian armour that the Bangladeshis can exploit is if at all the Indians are found to be complacent. However, after the recent loss in the Kitply cup final, that's the last thing that will be expected out of the Indians.

No match is a walk in the park. India does have more than just an edge, but with Bangladesh having a history of stunning their rivals on various occassions, predictions can turn on their head.