Blue Tsunami swept away the green & red at Oval Cricket ground yesterday. Shell shock Tiger admirers all over the world witnessed the abject surrender of Bangladesh Cricket team to mighty Indians. Bangladesh was beaten, bruised and battered by rampaging Indians in ridiculously one sided contest. 240 runs margin of defeat in an ODI match rarely happens whether it is bi-lateral series, international tournament or even a practise match between two ICC full member countries.
Moreover, considering the recent forms and records of two even the ardent followers of Indian team would not have imagined this. India put into bat on a green top seaming wicket set up a huge score of 324/7 in allotted overs. Bangladesh in reply was bundled out for 84 runs. Only a couple of days before the same team minus Tamim and Mashrafee scored almost 350 against strong Pakistan bowling attack. India is a formidable team. They are also holders of ICC Champions trophy. Bangladesh despite of its recent success in this format of the game was not favourite in the contest. But the manner the match was lost, the team chemistry, body language of the players raised many questions.
A media report stated of mid night parties and gay cavalier approach of the team leading to the match. Report also appears of replacing team manager Khaled Mahmood with Akram Khan. What has happened the scur created from such a diabolic performance only two days before the very important first match of the tournament would not be easy to digest.
Bangladesh deciding to rest inform Tamim and inspirational captain Mashrafee created serious questions. Teams give as much as possible opportunity of match practice to inform key players before the tournament. Moreover, against tournaments favourite on the ground where Bangladesh would play against the host England not playing Tamim was a serious mistake. Why Bangladesh let tried and tested quality all-rounder Nasir back home ? Even in his current form Nasir can walk into the team ahead of Sunzamul and few others. Why captain Mashrafee was not given a feel of the ground. Bangladesh would play against England and Australia there. Such an important match only two days before the first match could not have been taken lightly for experiment,
Opting for bowling after winning the toss on a green top wicket was ok. Two pacers Rubel and Mustafiz struck early blows removing Rohit and Rahane. But Bangladesh could not exploit the advantage. Why not experienced top all-rounder Shakib brought him into the attack early? Why Dhawan and Karthik and Dhawan were allowed to settle with friendly fire. Taskin was bowling short and hammered all around the park. Mustafiz and Rubel could be given few additional overs to cause further damage. Karthik , Dhawan and Pandey toyed with listless Bangladesh attack plundering 324/7. Though Sunzamul got two of the seven wickets but 74 runs in 9 overs was too many. Shakib bowled only 3 overs. Why? other than Rubel no Bangladeshi bowler looked impressive at all. Pandya scored an unbeaten 80 in 64 deliveries carrying his fine IPL form to England. Karthik retired after scoring well-made 94. Dhawan earlier laid the foundation with a well compiled 60 of 67 deliveries. Indain dominance with the bat was so prominent that Kohli, Yuvaraj and Dhoni could warm the dugout.
True conditions changed a bit when Bangladesh came to bat. Kumar and Yadav fancies such situation. They bowled brilliantly at pace and in the right channel. Listless Bangladesh batsmen had no clue. Only Soumya could consider himself a bit unlucky given out caught behind. Perhaps he missed it. Shabbir perished in no time. His suspect foot work against genuine pace on green top wicket exposes his vulnerability while batting in top order. Kayes and Shakib gifted their wickets playing unnecessary attacking strokes. Mahmudullah also nicked behind. Mushfique looked safe for a while but he too fell trying to attack. Yadav and Kumar were breathing fire. Suddenly Bangladesh was reduced to 22/6 by 8th over. . Atrocious batting. Even women’s team of few countries would bat better than what Bangladesh did on the day. Fortunately, two rookies Mehedi and Sunzamul could halt the slide for a while with a 30 runs 8th wicket partnership. Or otherwise Bangladesh could be bundled out below 50. Bangladesh had to digest the ignominy of getting crushed by 240 runs. They survived only 23.5 overs. Kumar took 3/13 and Yadav 3/16 . With both doing the damage Sami and Pandya had little left for them to grab.
It will be unwise not mentioning about the pace bowling strength of India. Kumar, Yadav, Sami, Pandey would cause all opponents to struggle. With Ashwin and Jadeja in the team India possibly has the best bowling attack in the tournament. World knows the strength and depth of Indian batting. The defending champions looked in great shape in two matches they played.
No one expected Bangladesh to win. But none also would have believed that Bangladesh will be decimated in such a pathetic manner. Something is definitely not right with the team. No excuse would be enough for such a pathetic performance. Even if Bangladesh bounces back in the tournament the match against India would continue to haunt many for a while. I cannot agree more with Gazi Ashraf Lipu that Bangladesh must start considering replacement for Shakib. Only reputation cannot be enough to carry some one for ever. He is just looking awful.
BDST: 1810 HRS, MAY 31, 2017
AP
