3rd ODI: Comprehensive win for India, but a bit too late

Tags: India tour of Bangladesh, 2015, Bangladesh Vs India - 3rd ODI at Mirpur, Jun 24, 2015, India, Bangladesh, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Kumar Raina, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Sabbir Rahman, ODI Series

Published on: Jun 25, 2015

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When India stepped out for the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh at Mirpur, there weren't much hopes from the team. They had put up two terribly disappointing performances in the first two games, it was indicative of the fact that they just did not want to play any more cricket. Indian skipper MS Dhoni

When India stepped out for the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh at Mirpur, there weren't much hopes from the team. They had put up two terribly disappointing performances in the first two games, it was indicative of the fact that they just did not want to play any more cricket. Indian skipper MS Dhoni, after the defeat in the second match, stated that the players were tired after a long season. The incompetent manner in which they were playing, a 3-0 whitewash seemed like a formality. But, India managed to show some spunk and pull off a win, although a bit too late.

Batting had been India's weak point throughout the earlier games, and they finally got it right on the third attempt. Shikhar Dhawan looked good in the last match, but had given it away after crossing 50. This time, he again got a start, but on this occasion, he carried on, and made a significant contribution with his 75. It was the kind of knock India needed at the top of the order. Skipper Dhoni continued to bat at number 4. He had tasted decent success in the last game, but this time, he went one step further, and played a knock, which went a long way in securing a consolation win for India.

India's overall batting performance was close to a complete one. Dhawan and Dhoni set up the game with their half-centuries, while the middle and lower order did the finishing job with cameos down the order. India retained Ambati Rayudu for the game, and he responded with a quick knock, which ensured India's momentum was in tact after the set batsmen fell. Suresh Raina also played a key knock, which took India past 300. Later in the day, he claimed three wickets to stall Bangladesh's chase. If anything, more runs from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would have been perfect. Both fell in the 20s.

How India batted against Mustafizur Rahman was going to be very crucial in the third game. And, he claimed only two wickets while conceding close to six runs. It means, India managed to assert some sort of control over the left-arm seamer. Having given away 11 wickets to him in the first two games, the effort in the final match was a moral victory of sorts for India. Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza claimed three wickets, but India took him for plenty which pretty much balanced out things. In fact, Bangladesh, for the first time in the series, did not make much of an impression on the Indian batting.

India's bowling really couldn't be judged on the basis of their performance in the first two games as the batting had failed them. But, with a score behind them, they were effective. Dhawal Kulkarni starred claiming both the openers. Ravichandran Ashwin was economical once more, and was also rewarded with a couple of scalps for his efforts. Raina was the surprise star performer, which helped him earn the man of the match. Umesh Yadav, Axar Patel and Stuart Binny were disappointing, but the others covered up for them. The win came a bit late, but it was a consolation without doubt.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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