Bangladesh continued their bilateral superiority in ODIs at home – they haven’t lost a home ODI series since October 2016 – as they took an unassailable 2-0 series lead over India with one match to go.
Defending a big total of 271 – ‘big’ because of the sticky, low and turning Dhaka surface – the Bangladesh bowlers had India reeling at 207/7, and the match looked in their pocket before the wounded Indian skipper Rohit Sharma – coming out to bat at number 9 due to a thumb injury that he’d sustained while fielding in Bangladesh’s innings – played a whirlwind knock of 51 unbeaten runs off 28 balls, cracking 3 fours and 5 sixes.
However, Rohit’s valiant effort with the bat while enduring his thumb injury went in vain as the hosts prevailed by just 5 runs on the last ball of the match.
Sharma pulled the equation from 65 runs required off 44 balls to 6 runs off the last ball, however, Mustafizur nailed his yorker on the last ball to seal a thrilling victory for Bangladesh.
More than just this series loss, India are now fretting over Rohit Sharma’s fitness for the 2-Test series that will start on December 14. Both the Tests are part of the World Test Championship where India chase a berth in the final.
Rohit Sharma ruled out 3rd ODI, could miss the first Test
India head coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that Sharma will miss the 3rd ODI as he will return to Mumbai for further investigation on his injured thumb. There are doubts on his participation in the first Test as well. KL Rahul, the vice-captain, will lead India in Sharma’s absence.
Along with Sharma, two other injured Indian players – Kuldeep Sen and Deepak Chahar – will also miss out from the 3rd ODI. Sen had complained of back stiffness after his debut game in the 1st ODI, while Chahar sustained an injury while playing today and bowled only 3 overs.
“Rohit Sharma will miss the 3rd ODI, he will fly back to Mumbai to consult an expert – Kuldeep Sen & Deepak Chahar are out of the series,” Dravid said. “Rohit Sharma went to hospital, stitches in his hand, couple of injections – credit to him, he was so determined”.
Att he post-match presentation ceremony, Sharma said that the scans that he did in Dhaka today revealed that it wasn’t a fracture.
“It (thumb injury) isn’t too great. Some dislocation and some stitches. Fortunately, not a fracture and so, I was able to bat,” Sharma said.
