Bangladesh did everything right in the first half of their opening one-day international against India on Sunday. After a string of poor batting displays earlier in the year, the hosts reunited and put up an impressive 272 but the end result is what remained elusive from the Tigers.
Led by a new skipper Suresh Raina and filled with new faces, India cruised to the target with D/L also playing a small part in their comprehensive seven-wicket win.
However, the defeat should not demoralise Mushfiqur Rahim and his troops, rather their batting performance should lift their spirit going into the second of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium today.
Tamim Iqbal’s form at the top is alarming and though he is still the No. 1 choice for the opener slot, it will be interesting to see how long he takes to return to his natural being. His 11-ball duck in the series opener made him the third Bangladeshi with most ducks (13).
22-year-old Mominul Haque, who is rated one of the most technically sound batsman in the Tigers line up, also looked rusty during his brief innings, and there’s a slight possibility he will make way for wicketkeeper Mohammad Mithun who can play as a specialist batsman.
Apart from that the bowling unit might also see a change in Taskin Ahmed replacing Al Amin Hossain. Teenager Taskin, who impressed in the World Twenty20, is considered the future of the Bangladesh pace attack and it is likely he will make his ODI debut today.
Mahmudullah, who has been under the microscope for his inclusion in the side, played a crucial role with the bat which must have been a relieve for his skipper while Nasir Hossain also showed glimpse of returning to form.
Meanwhile, Raina would be a pleased captain with the result of the first ODI.
Robin Uthappa, returning to the side after six years on the back of a shiny IPL-7 season where he finished top scorer, maintained his steady run with the bat and he will be looking to continue the momentum and put a strong case of being selected for India’s upcoming tour to England.
India are unlikely to tinker with their playing XI, but given the humid weather the Indian think tank might opt to rest Mohit Sharma who struggled to cope with the heat on Sunday.
Rain delayed the match by two and a half hours on Sunday. With the forecast suggesting a thunderstorm in the evening, weather remains to be a major concern for both teams.