It would be suffice to say that it will be an altogether different battle when a joyful Habibul Bashar enters into the ground in the morning for the toss with his wounded counterpart Rahul Dravid; the conditions and atmosphere poles apart from Port-of-Spain, where the sides last met.

There is hardly any doubt that the Indians will try to get revenge for their five-wicket mauling against the Tigers in the World Cup in their first chance but there is also exists an equal opportunity for the home team to prove that their March 17 success in Trinidad was not just a flash in the pan.

For Bashar the challenge has taken a new dimension, as one of main weapons -- Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the hero of the World Cup success, looks set to miss the first game because of a back injury.

The bold-faced Bangladesh skipper however was not ready to be bogged down by the last moment uncertainty, rather he gave the impression that their main strength lies in their togetherness as a unit.

"Mashrafee is a special player and that's why his presence is always important. He had couple of great performances against India as well. So it is a worry for us if he cannot make in the final eleven tomorrow because of injury. But our backup players are also capable and this is one of the reasons of our recent success. We actually play as an unit," said a confident Bashar.

This feeling was also evident in the team during the practice session yesterday. Their spirits seemed hardly dented by the last moment injury of Mashrafe, who tore apart the formidable India batting line-up in the World Cup with a four-wicket burst.

The 34-year old skipper also dismissed the idea that the Tigers were under pressure after their World Cup success.

"We are aware that the expectations will be much higher this time. We are preparing ourselves according to that. I would love this pressure because the people are thinking that we are capable of beating India. We do not set any particular target before this series. We want to play our natural game and enjoy that. But definitely I would love to win the series," said Bashar.

The most successful Tigers skipper was also not ready to think about how his opponents were taking the series after their disastrous World Cup, seeming more interested to draw emphasis on their own brand of cricket.

"It is really up to them how they take this series. We are not concerned about that. We want to play our own brand of cricket. The most important thing for us is what we want to do," he opined.

The focus will not only be on what Bashar can do a captain in the series but how well he performs as a batsman. The right-hander has come under scanner following his poor showing in the showpiece event.

"The team always comes first to me. But at the same time I am aware that I did not perform well in the World Cup. So I would love to get back amongst the runs in this series. In that case the team will also be benefited," he responded adding that he has every chance to bat at number three in the series.

One man however can make his captain most happy in his special day and it is none other than ace batsman Mohammad Ashraful who is not only going to be the youngest player to play his 100th ODI but will also monitor his first match as a vice-captain.

Can you rise on the occasion like Bangladesh team had on their 100th match to win against India at home in 2004? The answer was: "It's just another international match for me. Yes, I am fortunate that I can play 100 matches at my age but I have no special planning rather I want to play my own game to contribute highest for my side," he said.

"I don't feel any pressure as a vice-captain rather I believe that it can help my batting. I want to be positive about my job and no doubt it would be great if I play something special on this special day," said the right-hander who had a decent World Cup including a match-winning knock of 87 against South Africa.

But whatever the above fact there is another card up Bashar's sleeve as his left-arm trio-- Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan-- look set to give him another reason to smile. Most predict a favourable pitch for the trio to weave their magic but the real question is whether the batsmen can give them the chance?.