India vs. Bangladesh: 2nd ODI -Match Story

So it was time for toss in the second one dayer between India and Bangladesh. The tigers had defeated India in the first ODI of the three match series on the back of some stupendous bowling by debutant Mustafizur Rahman, who picked up a fifer to take Bangladesh past.

After winning the toss, MS Dhoni decided to bat first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. India made three changes with Ajinkya Rahane, Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav paving way for Axar Patel Ambati Rayudu and Dhawal Kulkarni. Bangladesh however went ahead with the same side with the XI consisting of Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

Rohit Sharma who scored a half century in the previous game, could not replicate the same on the day as he showed a very mediocre attitude and as a result he was gone for a duck. He offered an easy catch to Sabbir Rahman, trying to play it on the off side. This early blow brought Virat Kohli to the crease.

Virat Kohli scored a modest 23 before getting out caught in front to Nasir Hossain. He put up his 9th fifty plus stand with opener Shikhar Dhawan. The scoreboard read 74/2 after 12.3 overs. To the surprise of the crowd, MS Dhoni, the Indian skipper came out to bat at number four ahead of Rayudu. Were we going to get a World Cup 2011 Final like performance from him? We will only know as time passes.

In the 21^st over, Shikhar Dhawan who made 53 off 60 balls departed as Hossain got his second. Ambati Rayudu came to replace him. But, unfortunately he too was sent back to the pavilion on a duck much like his Mumbai team-mate by Rubel Hossain. He yet again failed to bring consistency. The joy for Bangladesh however took a pause as the best pair of Raina-Dhoni was in progress. He scored 34 off 55 balls. A 53-run stand between them steadied things for India.

Soon, Dhoni too was dismissed after his fighting innings of 47. This was theorotically the end of things for India as lower order yet again disappointed with only Jadeja scoring 19(26). AXar Patel was caught in front first ball by Mustafizur Rahman.  

Indian innings came to an end with Mustafizur picking up his second five wicket haul in as many matches. In the process, he became the first player to pick 11 wickets in the first two matches. He ended up with outstanding figures of 10-0-43-6.

With a rain delay towards the end, Bangladesh neede 200 in 47 oves raccording to the D/L method. Will Bangladesh create history here? Or will the Indian boys strike? The second innings will answer.

Drama in the middle! The Bangladeshi innings was just one over old and a big catch controversy unfolded. Kohli claimed a catch of Tamim Iqbal (0) off Dhawal Kulkarni's bowling. He was pretty confident but the on-field umpire was unsure whether it was a clean one and hence referred it to the third umpire. Replays were not clear and the third umpire could not determine whether Kohli at mid-off had his fingers underneath the ball while it was dying down. The Indian vice-captain was not happy, the third umpire had given the benefit of doubt to Tamim.

However, it made no big difference as pacer Dhawal Kulkarni gave India its first breakthrough dismissing Iqbal for 13, caught by Dhawan in the slips.

Litton Das who was playing his second match, reunited the innings as he brought up a fifty plus stand along with Soumya Sarkar. The duo looked threatening. But, Ravichandran Ashwin had other ideas! He pushed one quicker through the air and Sarkar was lbw and completely outdone by it! He scored 34 to give Indians a much needed breakthrough. At the other end, Litton Das continued playing confidently but he too fell soon after to Axar Patel on 36. The ball spun away from him as he looked to drive and Dhoni held onto it on the second attempt.

Mushfiqur was the fourth one to fall but Bangladesh remained on course of a historic series win. He was run out on 31 after sharing a fifty-plus stand with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The Indian bowlers failed to create any chances and Bangladesh easily moved along in the chase. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Axar Patel, in particular, were expensive.

Sabbir Rahman 22 and Hasan 51 denied any further loss and Bangladesh clinched the series easily.

Mustafizur was yet again awarded the Man of the Match award for his exuberant 6-fer.

India take on the hosts in the final ODI on June 24. Will they register a win? We will have to wait and watch. Until then, take care Bye folks!

All images from CricBuzz.