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Preview Mirpur: With threat of a shocking series defeat looming large, under-pressure India under their beleaguered captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be aiming to come out all guns blazing as they meet an upbeat Bangladesh in the second cricket one-dayer on Sunday. [caption id=“attachment_2292918” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File picture of MS Dhoni (L) and Virat Kohli (R). PTI[/caption] After being comprehensively thrashed by 79 runs in the opening match of the three-match series, India for the first time are staring at the ignominy of series defeat against the proverbial minnows of world cricket in the backdrop of some unwanted controversy that resulted in skipper Dhoni being docked 75 percent of his match fees. The road to redemption for Indian cricketers might just be a bit more tougher than what is expected as multiple factors stand in their way of clawing back to keep the series alive by restoring parity. The first and foremost is Bangladesh’s performance of late. If anyone thought that making it to the last eight of the ICC Cricket World Cup was a fluke, they were proved completely wrong by Mashrafe Mortaza and his bunch of talented youngsters as they whipped Pakistan 3-0 at home. The ‘Tigers’ once again roared as they crushed a full- strength India side fair and square in what was a lop-sided contest for the better part of the match. The second factor which is also equally significant is skipper Dhoni — his form has not been great for quite some time and now the tag of ‘Captain Cool’ has taken a dent in the recent times. Dhoni can consider himself very lucky that his ‘Level-2’ offence off shoving opposition debutant Mustafizur Rahaman did not result in a two-match suspension, which would have effectively ended the series for him. More than parting with 75 percent of his match fees, Dhoni would just like to look back as to what exactly is going wrong with his batting. An innings of 85 in a win against a below-par Zimbabwe attack in the World Cup and a 65 while delaying the inevitable against Australia in the semi-finals have been his better contributions of late. Statistics showed that Dhoni’s strike-rate against left-arm spinners has dropped down to around 66 in the four years post 2011 World Cup victory. More importantly, when a left-arm spinner is in operation, it takes him 32 balls to hit a boundary. No wonder he struggled against Shakib Al Hasan. Not only his own struggle, Dhoni as a captain needs to ensure that his entire bunch pulls up their socks and perform like a team possessed to weed out any chances of an upset. There is a possibility that weather could play spoilsport again and Team India would be praying for a full match in order to get proceedings on level terms. Shikhar Dhawan had a poor outing in the opener but his form of late has been good and the left-hander would like to continue from where he left in the Test match at Fatulla with a big hundred. Rohit Sharma is a man of big hundreds and double hundreds when it comes to ODI cricket and he would not like to throw it away like he did in the first match when he looked set for another three figure mark. Test captain Virat Kohli’s ODI figures are phenomenal but the lean patch in limited overs is his first in the last five years and it might just require one innings to get it back on track. Ajinkya Rahane on his day can be as dangerous as a Dhoni or a Kohli and would be licking his wounds after his failure in the first match. However for Dhoni, the most important aspect would be to ensure that his bowling unit performs their job better than what they did last time. Especially the pacers, who were taken to the cleaners by the Bangladeshi top-order. Umesh Yadav’s inconsistency is baffling since he has been a regular feature for more than a season now. His inconsistency in hitting the right channel cost India dearly in the first match. Mohit Sharma has been Dhoni’s trusted third pacer for sometime now but he didn’t look the part during the match being blasted for more than 50 runs in less than five overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s sharp drop in pace from early 130 kmph to mid-120kmph is also a factor that has added to Dhoni’s woes. Which leaves Indian team with their main strike bowler in Ravichandran Ashwin. It was because of Ashwin and partially Suresh Raina, that India were able to restrict Bangladesh to 307 instead of a score close to 350 which looked quite possible at one stage. As an ODI side, Bangladesh has improved a lot in recent times with a nice blend of experience and youth. While the quartet of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and captain Mashrafe Mortaza form the core, they have unveiled some serious talents in opener Soumya Sarkar and left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman. Mustafizur has impressed everyone with his variations and change of pace which troubled every Indian batsmen. PTI
Bangladesh vs India, 2nd ODI, as it happened: Bangladesh crush India by 6 wickets to claim historic series wi
Live coverage of the second ODI between Bangladesh and India.
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That’ll be it from us here at Firstpost. Remember, the 3rd match of the series is still left. Will it be a consolation win for India or will the Tigers go for the “Bangla-wash”. Its on Wednesday, June 24. We’ll be here to cover it. Join us then.
Goodnight, everyone.
Firstpost’s very own Jigar Mehta hits the nail on its head. It has been thoroughly enjoyable to see this young Bangladesh side do well and everyone criticising India’s performance would do well to recognise the brilliance of Mortaza’s side.
This will be just the start of social media jokes mocking the Indian team, you can bet.
Rich praise from a star athlete.
Echoing what many others are saying about the Bangladesh Tigers right now.
Sabbir guides Axar’s ball past short third man to seal a thumping win. A six-wicket win with 54 balls remaining. It’s fair to say India were not allowed to dominate at any stage of the innings. 10 home wins in a row for Bangladesh.
Rahim: “This is one of the greatest moments in our history, no doubt.”
THAT’S IT! BANGLADESH HAVE DONE IT! A series win against the much-vaunted, highly-decorated Indian team. A Champions Trophy place sealed as well.
Mustafizur walks out on to the pitch accompanied by huge cheers.
After 37 overs, Bangladesh 182/4 (Shakib 46, Sabbir 21)
An eventful over from Dhawal. An ‘acrobatic houdini-esque’ effort (as put by Alan Wilkins) to not fall on the stumps sandwiched by two boundaries on the off side and leg-side. Sabbir finishing this is emphatic fashion for Bangladesh. Make no mistake, this is an absolute pasting for India.
6 required from 60.
After 36 overs, Bangladesh 182/4 (Shakib 44, Sabbir 12)
Powerplay, no powerplay, Shakib can’t be forced to play a shot in anger. That mistimed sweep off Ashwin seems to have done the trick for the KKR all-rounder. Hasn’t played a loose shot since. One run from Jadeja’s over.
After 35 overs, Bangladesh 181/4 (Shakib 43, Sabbir 12)
Sabbir says he wants to get this done nice and early. Second ball of the over, clears his feet, slaps a half-volley past Dhawal Kulkarni with complete disdain. Follows that with a similarly aggressive pull but straight to the fielder. Words exchanged by the batsman and fielders. Frustration clearly showing on the Indians’ faces. Crowd loving it. Shakib meanwhile continues milking.
After 34 overs, Bangladesh 174/4 (Shakib 41, Sabbir 7)
Defending the straight balls, working the short balls and ones on the leg stump to easy singles. Easy does it for the batsmen. 26 required from 78 balls. Shakib the elder statesman taking the Tigers close to a series win.
After 33 overs, Bangladesh 171/4 (Shakib 39, Sabbir 6)
If optimistic Indian fans are still looking for a miraculous collapse, it ain’t happening. A good ove from Dhawal, on the money, but the hosts content to take just a couple of singles. The last ball looped off Sabbir’s thigh pads to square legs, but no real appeal from India.
After 32 overs, Bangladesh 168/4 (Shakib 38, Sabbir 5)
Shakib and Sabbir continue to milk the singles around the park off Jadeja. Five singles and easily done.
Brief delay in that over as Shakib complains of something in his eye, but Tucker asks him to get on with it. It’s difficult to bat one-eyed, Mr. Tucker. It’s not like this game is going on much longer.
After 31 overs, Bangladesh 163/4 (Shakib 36, Sabbir 2)
Dhawal is back into the attack. Tries the bouncer at Shakib but perhaps harshly called a wide. Shakib then guides a slower ball betweenb Dhoni and Raina at a (very) wide slip. 9 from it. Shakib looks intent on seeing this through, playing sensible cricket. Even timing the singles from the middle of his bat.
He does it so well, so often.
After 30 overs, Bangladesh 154/4 (Shakib 30, Sabbir 1)
Could there be a twist in the tale? That run-out came out of nowhere and suddenly a little bit of pressure on Shakib to see this through. Also brings to end an excellent partnership of 54 runs. It all comes down to the wickets-column, that’s for sure.
After 29 overs, Bangladesh 151/3 (Rahim 30, Shakib 29)
Asking rate under 3 RPO, target under 50. Raina can only watch on helplessly as hosts continue to cruise.
After 28 overs, Bangladesh 145/3 (Rahim 25, Shakib 28)
No fuss from the hosts as Jadeja’s welcomed back to the attack with 4 runs from his over. Dhoni running out of time, ideas and runs to defend.
After 27 overs, Bangladesh 141/3 (Rahim 25, Shakib 25)
Raina into the attack. Shakib gets that one boundary for the over early on and its an easy 8-run over for the hosts.
After 26 overs, Bangladesh 133/3 (Rahim 12, Shakib 14)
As if to signal India’s threat in this meager defense is over, Rahim takes on Axar. Off the first two completely decent deliveries, Rahim gets 10 runs. A beautiful inside-out lofted cover drive followed by a huge six over long-on as the sweep found the sweet spot. Shakib adds the icing with a four off the last ball to make it 16 runs from the over.
Hosts need 67 from 21 overs. Looks like this is in the bag.
After 25 overs, Bangladesh 117/3 (Rahim 12, Shakib 14)
End of a probing ten over spell from Ashwin. 10-2-32-1. Excellent figures, no doubt, but Bangladesh will be the happier of the two sides with that. No damage done, and India’s best bowler seen off.
After 24 overs, Bangladesh 114/3 (Rahim 12, Shakib 13)
Axar continues with his good spell. His last 4 overs have gone for 11 after giving away 15 in the first. Continues bowling slower through the over.
Ashwin to finish his 10 overs from the other end.
After 23 overs, Bangladesh 112/3 (Rahim 11, Shakib 12)
Odd shot-selection by Shakib, taking on Ashwin from outside off-stump and trying to sweep it over mid-wicket. The top-edge falls safely in the cover region. Rahim, as if to tell Shakib its under control, dead-bats the last three balls with solid front foot blocks.
After 22 overs, Bangladesh 109/3 (Rahim 11, Shakib 9)
OH DEAR! DROPPED! A beautiful ball from Axar turns and gets the outside edge from Rahim but Raina and Dhoni left looking at each other. Axar doing well here after a bad first over but that was a bad miss, Raina had to react quicker, saw it late.
After 21 overs, Bangladesh 106/3 (Rahim 9, Shakib 7)
Shakib decides to take on Ashwin as the pressure was building a tad bit on the hosts. Two sweep shots – one just about saved from going to the boundary, the other does.
After 20 overs, Bangladesh 99/3 (Rahim 9, Shakib)
Where did that over come fro, Axar? In a move that will delight spin purists, Axar decides to slow it up and flight the ball a little more. The results: instantaneous. Just a single and a wicket.
After 19 overs, Bangladesh 98/2 (Litton 36, Rahim 9)
In a slight change of tact, Mushfiqur Rahim takes on Ashwin too. Cutting a short ball against turn. 3 more singles in the over, mean 7 from Ashwin’s over. Slipping away from India here.
Undeniably so.
After 18 overs, Bangladesh 91/2 (Litton 34, Rahim 4)
New man, same strategy. Rahim goes after the short ball from Axar. One boundary per over is more than sufficient for the hosts. Ashwin needs support, and badly.
After 17 overs, Bangladesh 86/2 (Litton 33, Rahim 0)
A wicket-maiden for Ashwin. That off-spinner to beat Sarkar’s outside edge was a thing of beauty. A crucial wicket for India and gives them a way back into the match.