Brave and bold Bangladesh rode on complete teamwork to outplay India in every department as the home side secured the three-match one-day international series with a game to spare.
It was another hapless day out for Indian skipper MS Dhoni in Dhaka as no matter whatever trick he pulled out, Bangladesh were equally up to their task and neutralised any incoming threat on their way to a dominating six-wicket victory (Duckworth/Lewis method) in the second ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
If the 79-run win in the first match wasn’t enough for the critics, yesterday’s performance will surely change their thought process. The win saw Bangladesh seal the series 2-0, confirm their participation in the 2017 Champions Trophy in England and extend their winning home run to 10 matches.
The game was already served on a platter in the first half by Mustafizur Rahman as the left-arm seamer, who announced his arrival with a five-for in the first ODI last Thursday, claimed six on the day with the big names in the Indian batting line-up falling like a house of cards.
Dhoni made three changes to the side that lost the first ODI – Ambati Rayudu, Akshar Patel and Dhawal Kulkarni replacing Ajinkya Rahane, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma – and also promoted himself to No 4, but that hardly affected the unchanged hosts.
Rain also played its part on the day, keeping the game at bay for more than an hour. The day-night affair was later reduced to 47 overs per side. India, who were limping at 196-8 before the rain interruption, added just four before Mustafizur and Rubel Hossain ended their march.
Attempting to defend the mediocre total against the in-form Tigers line-up, Dhoni tried everything in his power but nothing paid off. He, at one point, changed the field after every delivery as Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib al Hasan milked the bowlers around for singles while the missed chances from the Indian fielders also suggested that lady-luck was favouring the hosts. Even the verbal battles in the middle were won efficiently by the home side.
Tamim fell for 13 which saw young shoulders like Soumya Sarkar and Liton Kumar exhibit their temperament. The busy duo added a quickfire 58-ball 52 to provide a solid start before Mushfiq (31), Shakib (51*) and Sabbir Rahman (22*) contributed to safely take the Tigers to 200.
Earlier, Mustafizur continued to cast his magic as the 19-year old Bangladesh left-arm seamer bagged a six-for yesterday to help skittle India out for exactly 200 in 45 overs.
Hailing from Satkhira, Mustafizur gave the Tigers a terrific start by dismissing opener Rohit Sharma for a duck in just the second ball before the visitors crawled back in the game through the 74-run partnership for the second wicket between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.
The duo scored almost at a run-a-ball until Nasir Hossain was introduced to the attack. The right-arm off-spinner trapped Kohli plumb in front and had Dhawan caught behind as Rayudu returned without troubling the scorers immediately off a Rubel short delivery leaving India tottering at 110-4.
Bangladesh tightened the screws as Mashrafe shuffled his bowlers and kept the scoring-wheel under check. Both Dhoni and Raina toiled hard for their runs and were eagerly waiting for the batting powerplay. However, little did they know that Mustafizur would once again destroy their batting hopes.
Raina gloved a short rising cutter from Mustafizur in the third ball of the 36th over before the Satkhira seamer baffled Dhoni with a pitched-up cutter and also returned Patel for a golden duck in the 40th over to leave Team India in utter shock.
Ravichandran Ashwin became Mustafizur’s fifth victim as Bangladesh were in total control with their opponents reeling at 196-8 in 43.5 overs when rain halted play. Following the rain delay, Mustafizur came on to complete the 44th over and duly picked up the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja.
