India had finally won their first and last ODI left in the series against Bangladesh at Shree Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. With this win, India managed to escape a clean sweep from their under-estimated neighbors.
This time, Bangladesh won the toss and invited India to bat first. Opener Shikhar Dhawan starred in the innings’ play with his quality knock of 75 off 73 balls. Virat Kohli failed again while the man in the “hot-seat”, Mr. Cool, Dhoni came up well with the bat to rescue the team from white wash. He scored 69 runs. With the middle order’s contribution, the score crossed 300. Suresh Raina smashed 38 runs in just 21 deliveries with two massive sixes and three boundaries. Rayudu scores 44 runs from 49 balls. Tail Enders Stuart Binny and Axar Patel took the score on the plight in the slog overs. By the end of 50 overs, India managed to score 317 for the loss of six wickets.
As a reply, Bangladesh started the innings in an attacking mode, just like the previous two ODIs. Despite losing the experienced Tamim Iqbal (5) early, opener Soumya Sarkar and Litton Das seems promising with their shots all around the wicket. Soumya Sarkar once again proved that he is a threat for the bowlers as long as he stays in the crease. After destroyed the Indian bowling with five fours and two sixes, Soumya (40 off 34) fell down for Dhawal Kulkarni’s slow delivery. Seems to be on ride, young Sowmya’s dismissal greatly disappointed the fans in the stadium. Nevertheless, the game was much alive at the moment with 65 runs in 10 overs for the loss of two wickets.
Later Das and Mushfiqur Rahim (24 off 30) duo shared a 50-run stand but both fell quickly, leaving their team at 118 for four in the 22nd over.
Despite losing the wickets in regular intervals, Bangladesh never loses the hope. Sabbir Rahman (43 off 38) and Nasir Hossain (32 off 30)’s fight tells us that. The duo hammered 49 off 38 balls for the sixth wicket as the dew made batting easier in the second half of the game. However, it was not the required run-rate that damaged the play, but the quick dismissals.
Spinners Ashwin and Axar Patel effective alongside part timer Raina.
In Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza was impressive with his three wicket haul. In India, Raina took three wickets, while Dhawal Kulkarni and Ravi Chandran Ashwin were satisfied with two wickets each.
- Manohar
