Cricket: India tour of Bangladesh

1st ODI: Bangladesh v India at Dhaka (SBNS), May 10, 2007
Result: India won by 5 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

India survives the challenge

Oh YES! it was a pure pulling-themselves-out-of-the-dungeon thing, they manage to keep the pride intact but the thrashing was never convincing. For record, Ravi Shastri won his first match as coach. But before those rounds of handshake between the players (at the end of 46th over of 2nd innings), this hard winning battle that took place in a very torrid weather (too hot & too humid) saw Indian batsman well-challanged by Bangla's spinner as the wicket slowed down in the later half of the innings. After some blitzing but very short display of form shown by Indian openers (Gambhir n Sehwag), the mainstay of Indian middle order (Yuvraj, Dravid n Mongia) couldn't get going as Rafique n Razzak's bowled left-arm spin in tandem. But India found form in Dhoni (who came 1-down) & Karthik, their two wicketkeeper batsmen, who punched n swept respectively to keep the spinners at bay. Their critical n calm 6th wicket partnership of 107 runs powered India to 5 wicket win with 6 balls remaining.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and Bashar elected to bat first knowing that a score of 230-240 on board will be enough for his bowlers to put a fight. Tamim Iqbal start from where he left in his last game against visitors as Zaheer spell of 5 overs went for 33 runs without any scalp. Though Sreesanth was looking in control of his line n length, his short term threat was ended by a hamstring injury that pulls him out of the rest of the inning. Javed Omar kept his calm, and together the openers put up a partenership of 78 runs before Iqbal lofted Mongia incorrectly to long on, while 2nd powerplay was not yet taken. Omar was patient for his 80 as he drives n cuts across his legs to spinners. The talented Saqibul Hasan was another reassurance for them, as Bangladesh put up 250 in a 47 over match.

There are enough positives being taken from both sides. While Rahul Dravid gave an answer to his critics by opting for Mongia, Ramesh Powar produced a gem of the spell in the middle overs. Dinesh Karthick who didn't play any role in India's exit in World Cup proved his worth today as his fielding inside the circle gives the glimpse of Kaif at times. Bangladesh would be happy to find their batsmen in form and with Mortaza coming back in next match, they are still in the game and well armed for their neighbours as they play them again on 12th of May.

Bangladesh: 7/250 in 47 overs (Omar 80, Saqibul 50, Dinesh Mongia 3/49, Powar 2/55)
India: 5/251 in 46(47) overs (Dhoni 91*, Karthik 58*, Saqibul 2/43, Rasel 2/66)

Image src: cricinfo
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