There are a clutch of worries for M.S. Dhoni and Shahid Afridi as the Asian powerhouses seek deliverance. A win here would be good tonic to one side troubled with fitness issues while the other are in a shambles thanks to dressing room squabbles and the ugly head of match fixing rearing its head again.

The Amaya Lake is a parallel universe, far away from the infuriating urban mix. Waking to the warm chirping of birds and the slow, rhythmic beat of the traditional drums, cricket makes a hazy walk to the breakfast table. All details revolve around the game. Ravi Shastri, Rameez Raja and Warney, err Darryl Cullinan give their inputs. A game of table tennis where cricket continues to dominate and then to a voyage of discovery.

A win with a bonus point was a good start for India but a few proverbial problems exist. The senior members had not played competitive cricket for nearly a month and the rustiness showed on the field. Lack of sting with the new ball continues to haunt. If not for Virender Sehwag’s freakish success with the ball, the target could have been further challenging.

Only inertia and butter-fingers ensured a partial contest. India looked rusty on the field but Bangladesh did them a favour by batting without imagination to hand set an easy target. The famed top-order came a cropper but Gautam Gambhir, with skipper M.S. Dhoni for company held the innings together as India opened their Asia Cup campaign with a six-wicket win and a bonus point here on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka defended a par total with competitive zeal and a clear game plan but Shahid Afridi nearly spoilt the party with an innings of rare quality. Braving severe cramps, Afridi cracked a robust 109 (76 balls, 8x4, 7x6) to keep the game alive before Kumar Sangakkara pulled out an acrobatic catch to cut his innings short.

The biggest challenge for the Indian thinktank will be deciding the final composition to take on Bangladesh in the Asia Cup opener here on Wednesday. Past records suggest one-way traffic. In 21 one-adyers, India have emerged triumphant in 19 but Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be wary that India’s only loss to their eastern neighbours in a neutral venue hurt them the most. The 2007 World Cup debacle was scripted by a buoyant Bangladesh.

A continental compromise, spread irregularly over the last 26 seasons will see its 10th edition commence in this sleepy tourist town on Tuesday. The Asia Cup for long has been more a matter of convenience than a logical explanation to the already cramped international calendar.

A chance to redeem. The ensuing Asia Cup could more be a test of India’s mental strength than their skill sets.

When Viswanathan Anand wins there is something for everyone to celebrate. The quintessential pro can learn a lot from Anand’s monk-like commitment to the game. A young sportsman can relate to how enjoying your craft can lead to greater deeds. And to an entire nation that continues to be deprived of even good roads and proper sanitation, Anand is a true inspiration, on what can be achieved if one puts mind over matter.

For Ravichandran Ashwin the wait is almost over. After his selection as the first choice off-spinner in the Indian team to Zimbabwe, Ashwin should realise his dream of representing the country.