NEW DELHI: Injured Rohit Sharma’s heroic shot was in vain as Bangladesh beat India by 5 points in the second matchday game in Dhaka to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead of three games.
With this victory, Bangladesh secured their second consecutive victory in the ODI series against the Indian team at home. After winning an ODI series in 2015 2-0, Bangladesh now have their second series victory against mighty India.
Chasing 272 for the win, India fell 6 short of target, finishing at 266 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs.
The clash between the two quality teams was an up and down encounter, going down to the wire just like the opener. Here is a look at the key moments from the second ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium:
Rohit hurt up front – Team India suffered a blow early in the game when skipper Rohit Sharma had to walk away after sustaining a serious left hand injury. The incident happened in the second half of the match itself when Rohit attempted a hold on Mohammed Siraj’s slip rope. Separating the strap between his left thumb and index finger, a bloodied Rohit had to leave the pitch and was taken for the scan where he also received stitches. The skipper sat out of action for most of the game, only returning with bat in 43rd place in India’s pursuit.
Siraj, Umran and Sundar rocked the hosts – After the early drama of Rohit Sharma’s injury, guards Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik and offie Washington Sundar fired in unison to bring Bangladesh to their knees. Siraj’s swing and seam with the new ball coupled with Umran’s fast pace took the Bangladeshis by surprise. Washington Sundar also joined the wagon with his disciplined bowling as India cut the hosts to 69 for six in the 19th.
Remarkable recovery – With more than half the squad back in the hut before the 20th, Bangladesh was down but Mehidy Hassan Miraz proved to be the saviour, scripting a remarkable comeback for his team. The all-rounder with Mahmudullah stitched up a sensational 148-run partnership for the 7th wicket to first pull the team out of troubled waters and then help post a tough tally. As Mahmudullah scored a masterful 77, Hasan played his best ODI shot to date, marking his first international century. Hero of the last game, Hasan shone again as the Indian bowlers looked distraught over the youngster. As spare skipper KL Rahul and his bowlers were far from crossing Bangladesh’s lower order, the Hasan-Mahmudullah partnership thrived 19-46. Hasan finally hit his first ODI ton on the final ball of the innings, taking Bangladesh to 271 for 7.
Higher order rut – In the absence of Rohit Sharma, injured, India had to reorganize at the top. As Virat Kohli came out to open alongside Shikhar Dhawan instead of fellow opener KL Rahul, the combination failed miserably as Bangladesh ran through the openers. As Virat’s stumps (5) were decimated by Ebadot Hossain, Dhawan (8) received a snorter from Mustafizur Rahman as India were once again robbed of a good start. Washington Sundar also didn’t make good use of a No. 4 promotion as he was fired for 11 in the 10th. Rahul (14) tried to stabilize the Indian ship with Shreyas Iyer but was caught in front of the stumps by Mehidy Hasan.
The rescue and response of Shreyas-Axar from Bangladesh – After losing four wickets to just 65, India were in desperate need of a partnership. And Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel seized the opportunity by adding 107 runs for the fifth wicket. As the partnership between the two blossomed, India picked up the slack in pursuit. In the process, Shreyas also turned fifty and looked aggressive and in complete control. But then, in the 35th, Mehidy Hasan came back and got the breakthrough for the hosts, knocking out a set from Shreyas for 82. Axar followed Shreyas as soon as India’s pursuit nosedived late in the 39th.
Rohit’s belated heroism in vain – After Shardul Thakur fell in the 43rd, India looked all out but Rohit Sharma came out of nowhere to bat with an injured left hand, showing a lot of character and courage. With lower order hitters, he pushed India deep, giving the team a fighting chance. Scoring 51 unbeaten balls from just 28 balls including 3 fours and 5 sixes, Rohit led the game until the last but with 6 needed on the last ball, Rohit couldn’t get the ball over the line. After the early collapse, India showed a great fight late in the contest but could not avoid defeat.
With this victory, Bangladesh secured their second consecutive victory in the ODI series against the Indian team at home. After winning an ODI series in 2015 2-0, Bangladesh now have their second series victory against mighty India.
Chasing 272 for the win, India fell 6 short of target, finishing at 266 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs.
The clash between the two quality teams was an up and down encounter, going down to the wire just like the opener. Here is a look at the key moments from the second ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium:
Rohit hurt up front – Team India suffered a blow early in the game when skipper Rohit Sharma had to walk away after sustaining a serious left hand injury. The incident happened in the second half of the match itself when Rohit attempted a hold on Mohammed Siraj’s slip rope. Separating the strap between his left thumb and index finger, a bloodied Rohit had to leave the pitch and was taken for the scan where he also received stitches. The skipper sat out of action for most of the game, only returning with bat in 43rd place in India’s pursuit.
Siraj, Umran and Sundar rocked the hosts – After the early drama of Rohit Sharma’s injury, guards Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik and offie Washington Sundar fired in unison to bring Bangladesh to their knees. Siraj’s swing and seam with the new ball coupled with Umran’s fast pace took the Bangladeshis by surprise. Washington Sundar also joined the wagon with his disciplined bowling as India cut the hosts to 69 for six in the 19th.
Remarkable recovery – With more than half the squad back in the hut before the 20th, Bangladesh was down but Mehidy Hassan Miraz proved to be the saviour, scripting a remarkable comeback for his team. The all-rounder with Mahmudullah stitched up a sensational 148-run partnership for the 7th wicket to first pull the team out of troubled waters and then help post a tough tally. As Mahmudullah scored a masterful 77, Hasan played his best ODI shot to date, marking his first international century. Hero of the last game, Hasan shone again as the Indian bowlers looked distraught over the youngster. As spare skipper KL Rahul and his bowlers were far from crossing Bangladesh’s lower order, the Hasan-Mahmudullah partnership thrived 19-46. Hasan finally hit his first ODI ton on the final ball of the innings, taking Bangladesh to 271 for 7.
Higher order rut – In the absence of Rohit Sharma, injured, India had to reorganize at the top. As Virat Kohli came out to open alongside Shikhar Dhawan instead of fellow opener KL Rahul, the combination failed miserably as Bangladesh ran through the openers. As Virat’s stumps (5) were decimated by Ebadot Hossain, Dhawan (8) received a snorter from Mustafizur Rahman as India were once again robbed of a good start. Washington Sundar also didn’t make good use of a No. 4 promotion as he was fired for 11 in the 10th. Rahul (14) tried to stabilize the Indian ship with Shreyas Iyer but was caught in front of the stumps by Mehidy Hasan.
The rescue and response of Shreyas-Axar from Bangladesh – After losing four wickets to just 65, India were in desperate need of a partnership. And Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel seized the opportunity by adding 107 runs for the fifth wicket. As the partnership between the two blossomed, India picked up the slack in pursuit. In the process, Shreyas also turned fifty and looked aggressive and in complete control. But then, in the 35th, Mehidy Hasan came back and got the breakthrough for the hosts, knocking out a set from Shreyas for 82. Axar followed Shreyas as soon as India’s pursuit nosedived late in the 39th.
Rohit’s belated heroism in vain – After Shardul Thakur fell in the 43rd, India looked all out but Rohit Sharma came out of nowhere to bat with an injured left hand, showing a lot of character and courage. With lower order hitters, he pushed India deep, giving the team a fighting chance. Scoring 51 unbeaten balls from just 28 balls including 3 fours and 5 sixes, Rohit led the game until the last but with 6 needed on the last ball, Rohit couldn’t get the ball over the line. After the early collapse, India showed a great fight late in the contest but could not avoid defeat.
