I was just looking at the scenario in Group B and wondering what standings permutations are possible, or even likely, at the end of the first round. The defeat by Bangladesh was a very rude wake-up call to the Indians and I hope that they try hard to do better from here on. They certainly are capable of doing it -don't forget Pakistan in 1992 and Australia in 1999 after the first two matches. So, let us look at the possibilities:

Monday, 19th March - India vs Bermuda: Knowing their precarious situation, India will try for a really big win against Bermuda. Let us assume that India's victory margin over Bermuda is a shade better than that of Sri Lanka; as you will see, it has to be.

Wednesday, 21st March - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Bangla will approach this match with confidence after their victory over India. Equally, Sri Lanka will know know not to underestimate this Bangla team and so will play positively and given their superior experience and talent, most likely win. That would put SL at the top of the table, but not yet confirm their passage into the next round.

Friday, 23rd March - India vs Sri Lanka: The moment of truth for India; they simply have to win and win well. If India lose, they'll go out of the tournament but if they beat SL, it will go to the final reckoning of run rates.

Sunday, 25th March - Bangladesh vs Bermuda: By the time this match comes around, Bangladesh will be fully aware of what they must do to ensure getting through. Straighforward if India have been knocked out by SL in the previous match, but not so if Dravid's men are still in the reckoning. In beating Bermuda, Bangla must pass at least one of the other two teams in run rate to get through themselves. That might not be easy because despite their shock win over India, Bangla still seem mainly attritional in their approach and do not have the big hitters of the other two teams.

Here is a further complication: even if India get through to the Super 8s by beating Sri Lanka, it is in their interest to drag SL along with them because of the points rule. But because their match with SL is before the Bangladesh vs Bermuda clash, India cannot collude with Sri Lanka to 'adjust' the run rate to mutual benefit after getting themselves into a winning position. Although it is theoretically possible that Bangaldesh might themselves collude with no-hopers Bermuda for the latter to all but throw the match in an effort to improve Bangladesh's run rate, that agreement is highly unlikely.

So, it is vital for India to do better than SL against Bermuda and of course, beat Sri Lanka. That way, India will have a better net run rate than SL and if Bangladesh do thrash Bermuda soundly enough to get through, India will go through with them albiet without net points.