India were at their ruthless best once again as they crushed Bangladesh by seven wickets in their opening match of the Asia Cup Super Four stage in Dubai on Friday.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the star for India as he made a triumphant return to the ODI team, snaring 4-29. He replaced injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya and was used ahead of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
He proved his worth by taking top wickets of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun. The target of 173 didn’t trouble the Indians one bit as captain Rohit Sharma (83) slammed his second successive fifty to secure win in 36.2 overs.
THE GOOD
Jadeja’s return – There is hardly anything better than a comeback story. Jadeja was given a chance in the final Test of the England series and went on to pick up seven wickets and score 99 runs. Coming back to the ODI team after more than a year away, the left-arm spinner stunned the Bangladesh middle order to put India on top.
Tigers’ lower-order fightback – Bangladesh were reeling at 101-7 and in danger of being bowled out for 130. But spinner Mehidy Hasan (42 from 50) and captain Mashrafe Mortaza (26 from 32) took the total towards a respectable 173. It didn’t matter in the end but it did show Bangladesh won’t give up without a fight
THE BAD
Shakib Al Hasan.
Shakib’s sweep – The Bangladesh all-rounder had just taken two fours off Jadeja in the bowler’s first over and was right on top of him in the 10th over. But Shakib got greedy and tried to sweep the spinner again, getting caught at square leg. Bangladesh lost all momentum from thereon.
Rahman loses his Fizz – Mustafizur Rahman has bamboozled India on numerous occasions and it was expected he would strike early to give the Tigers a chance. But his first three overs leaked 23 runs and in a low-scoring game, which was a killer blow for Bangladesh.
KEY MOMENTS
BANGLADESH INNINGS
4.3 overs Bhuvi’s short stuff works – Bhuvneshwar Kumar used the short ball brilliantly against Pakistan and used it again to get Liton Das hooking to deep square leg. On the slow Dubai wicket, its proving to be effective option.
Mushfiqur Rahim.
17.6 overs Mushfiqur’s shocker – Reverse sweeps looks great when they come off. But equally bad when they don’t. Bangladesh needed some sensible batting after they had lost four wickets for 60. But Mushfiqur decided to throw caution to the wind and reverse sweep Jadeja, unfortunately straight to short third man. Five wickets gone and game over.
46.1 overs Mortaza opens up and gets out – Bangladesh skipper Mortaza teamed up with Mehidy and added 50 runs for the eighth wicket. With four overs to go, Bangladesh were targeting 200. But after dispatching Bhuvneshwar for two successive sixes, Mortaza tried to paddle the seamers but could only find short fine leg.
INDIA INNINGS
8.4 overs Mustafizur hit out of the attack – ‘The Fizz’ was one of the main weapons for Bangladesh on a sluggish Dubai surface against an opposition he has enjoyed a lot of success against. However, opener Shikhar Dhawan ensured it wasn’t going to be the left-armer’s night. He flicked Mustafizur to fine leg and then drove him through covers as the pacer ended up conceding 23 runs from his first three overs and was forced out of the attack.
Rohit scored another fifty.
22.4 overs Rohit makes a statement – India captain Rohit has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders in the absence of Virat Kohli. Not only has he risen to the occasion as captain, he has also been in fine form with the bat. The 31-year-old scored his second straight fifty of the tournament as he tackled the Bangladesh bowlers with ease. A massive six over mid wicket off the bowling of Shakib brought up his 50 and India’s 100.
KEY TURNING POINT
Mahmudullah’s lbw – When Bangladesh’s key batsman Mahmudullah was given lbw off Bhuvi’s bowling in the 33rd over for 25, the Tigers were out of reviews. If they had one, Mahmudullah would have survived as he had hit the ball. Bangladesh were reduced to 101-6. Who knows how many runs Bangladesh would have scored had he stuck around.
VERDICT
India: A+
The men in blue were near flawless with the ball, in the field and with the bat. Absolutely everything they did worked out well. Opening bowler Bhuvi and Jasprit Bumrah (3-37) took six wickets between them while the returning Jadeja did his thing upon return. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep didn’t get a wicket but you can’t have it all. Captain Rohit finished the game with a fine fifty.
Bangladesh: C
It’s not as if Bangladesh didn’t try. There was no run-out nor any poor bowling. But they were comfortably outplayed by India and that is a concern as the wicket should have suited their play. The Tigers employed just the two spinners and got one wicket, which was a deciding factor.
