Damage Control: Will India beat Bangladesh in 2nd ODI?

18 June 2015 once again recorded itself in the history of Bangladeshi cricket when it beat team India in the 1st ODI of Zan and Zee series by 79 runs on 18th June 2015 as it did with Australia in 2005 when it beat them handsomely in the 2nd ODI of the natwest series at Cardiff.

Looking at the 1st ODI played between India and Bangladesh, one can only wonder if it is the same Bangladeshi side we are accustomed to see. Certainly not! Truly said ‘Bacche ab baache nahi rahe’. From the word go Bangladesh didn’t put a foot wrong in this match. The fearless approach of their batsman in the opening certainly showed the intent with which Bangladesh was playing- they were not playing with any pressure but piling pressure on the Indian pace bowlers who didn’t seem effective at all. For the bowlers the ball was not hitting at the right spots which was fully encased by the Bangladeshi batsman putting a difficult total of 307 runs in 49.4 overs with the brilliant batting of Somya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman and a little cameo at the end by the captain Mushrafe Mortaza. India in reply got off to a brilliant start with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan adding 95 runs for the 1st wicket. But from then on it was a flop show for Indian batsmen with Virat Kholi and Ajayanka Rahane failing to make a impact once again with the bat. Dhoni’s continued lack of form in the previous matches is a continuing worry for the Indian side. Though Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja tried their best to steady the Indian ship but were not given any chance as the Bangladeshi bowlers were on consistent attack with the debutant Mustafizur Rahman taking 5 crucial wickets, breaking the back of the Indian batting line up and folding up the Indian side for a score of 228 in 46 overs taking a revenge of the quarterfinal defeat against India in the world cup 2015. This defeat came pretty much as a shock to the Indian side which was not expecting such a challenge from the Bangladeshi side. But instead of regretting over the 1st ODI the time has come for the Indian side to change its strategies and plans and perception against the game because it is still the best side in the subcontinent conditions it is just that Bangladesh are putting their best forces ahead to counter the Indian side which is a touch looking out of shape but as we all known the Indian team has the habit of bouncing back strongly when the situation is critical.

So the situation of ‘Do or Die’ has come for team India in this 2nd ODI whereas Bangladesh would be eyeing the series by trying to win this match and would be willing to stage the biggest upset of the Indian cricket in recent times. So we have to wait for the 2nd ODI which would played at the Shere-Bangla stadium,Mirpur on 21st June from 2:30 p.m.(IST) to see whether Bangladesh would clinch their 2nd consecutive series or whether the men in blue would stage a comeback to level the series and keep their hopes alive in this damage control match for them.So the 2nd ODI promises to go to the wire!!

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