Published: Jun 19, 2015, 06:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 19, 2015, 05:44 AM (IST)
India suffered a 79-run humiliation at the hands of an inspired Bangladesh in the first One-Day International (ODI) of their three-match series. Devarchit Varma feels it was India’s overconfidence that resulted in the defeat. Bangladesh inflict record defeat on India
Whenever two teams of contrasting fortunes and strengths clash on the cricket field, one-sided contests are generally expected. But with Bangladesh’s meteoric rise in international cricket — especially in ODI cricket since late 2014 — it would be foolish for any team to think of them as a lesser opposition and go easy in their approach. Perhaps India erred by taking things too lightly, and getting overconfident about what they can do. Was MS Dhoni right in pushing Mustafizur Rahman aside?
In the first ODI at Dhaka, India were right to concentrate on what they can do and not fret upon what their opponents could, but in the process MS Dhoni’s men forgot the core principal. Indian bowlers were belted across the park, and their star-studded batting line-up was strangulated so immaculately, it will take some sort of introspection to come out fighting.
Ajinkya Rahane took 11 balls to get his first run. Rohit Sharma got beaten outside off repeatedly early on in his innings. Shikhar Dhawan did not look like a man who was coming off a splendid 173. Virat Kohli continued to chase the balls outside off. This is not how the Indians got to the semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. This is not how India could ever win matches. Mustafizur Rahman takes five wickets on ODI debut, becomes 10th man to do so
It has been a very long time since the famed Indian lower order consisting the likes of Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja won them matches. The extended poor form of Jadeja is hurting India badly, and one would only hope that this is not the case when the series ends, otherwise there would be serious issues to handle. MS Dhoni: Bangladesh played some really good cricket
More than everything else, India’s approach did not look very positive in the match against Bangladesh. They were hapless with the ball, and only Ravichandran Ashwin was the one who could actually make an impact. India had more spinners in their ranks as compared to Bangladesh, but the quality display that the hosts had from their men would have made everyone else embarrassed. Bangladesh outclass India by record margin of 79 runs
Certainly, India looked a tad overconfident about the clash against Bangladesh. Their batsmen were never comfortable in their chase, and with the ball there was none who could provide Ashwin the right support. It is time for India to go back to the drawing board, as Bangladesh look in no mood to give India an easy time. India tour of Bangladesh, 2015: Complete coverage
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
