The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team suffered a shocking one-wicket defeat in the first ODI match of the three-match series against Bangladesh. While the Indian batting order collapsed badly, KL Rahul, who was going through a terrible form was the only silver lining for team India. The Indian bowlers performed exceptionally well as well, however, a 51-run partnership for the 10th wicket took the Bangladesh side over the line.
After being asked to bat first, the Indian side posted an underwhelming total of 186 runs due to the sensational bowling performances by veteran star Shakib Al Hasan’s fifer couple with Hossain’s four-wicket haul.
The Indian bowling unit turned out to be a nightmare for the side as Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Team India’s bowling unit swiftly put pressure on the hosts. While both sides were disappointed with their batting performances, however, the bowlers had a field day today.
For Bangladesh, it was Mehidy Hasan who kept calm till the very end that guided the side to a victory in the opening game of the ODI series.
Meanwhile after the match, during the post-match presentation, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma talked about the game and explained why India lost the match. Rohit admitted that the hosts were let down by the batting performance in the 1st ODI. He said:
“It was a very close game. We did pretty well to comeback into that position. We didn’t bat well. 184 wasn’t good enough, but we bowled pretty well and they held the nerve in the end. If you look back how we bowled right from ball one – of course we would have loved to bowl better at the end – but we bowled pretty well for 40 overs and took overs. We just didn’t have enough runs. Another 25-30 runs would have helped. We were looking at 240-250 after the 25 over mark. When you keep losing wickets it is difficult. We need to learn and understand how to play on such wickets. No excuse for us because we are used to these wickets. I don’t really know how much they can improve in a couple of practice session. I feel the genes are there and it’s only about handling pressure.”
Rohit scored 27 off 31 balls while ex-captain Virat Kohli perished for 9 off 15 balls in the low-scoring encounter. Riding on KL Rahul’s 73 off 70 balls, India managed to post 186 in 41.2 overs.
Miraz, who was named the player of the match completed Bangladesh’s stunning comeback after the hosts were reduced to 136 for 9 in the 40th over. He slammed an unbeaten knock of 38 as Bangladesh ended up thrashing team India by 1 wicket.
Rohit added: “Turns out it was a good game. Started with some tackiness with India struggling. Shakib bossed his way to a stunning five-wicket haul. KL Rahul played a grinding 73 to post a fighting total. India used all the help from the pitch – both pacers and spinners to put Bangladesh under pressure. Washi started the collapse by getting a set Litton Das and Bangladesh lot 7 wickets for 62 runs since then. India were cruising home with the passionate home crowd stunned, but Mehidy lifted their spirits shot by shot. Showed how a determined batter can still score runs on this pitch and in the end a bit of dew gave aid as well. Not to discount Fizz’s valuable gluing at the end than trying to slog and let his partner down.
