Despite a shocking loss in the first game of the three-match one-day international series against Bangladesh, India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan is certain that his team can recover. “Regarding tomorrow’s game, we have a tonne of confidence. We have previously dropped the opening game in a series. Since it’s pretty common, we are aware of how to deal with these circumstances “Dhawan made this statement in Dhaka prior to the Wednesday encounter. In the thrilling match on Sunday in Dhaka, Bangladesh edged out India by one wicket thanks to tail-ender Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten 38 and a record tenth-wicket partnership. Bangladesh now leads India 1-0.
Mehidy and Mustafizur Rahman put together a 51-run partnership, Bangladesh’s best-ever for the final wicket in a successful run chase, to help the hosts, who were chasing 187 for victory, reach their goal with 24 balls to spare after falling to 136-9. “It was a low total and at the end they pulled the game back from us which doesn’t happen very often. They played really well so give credit to them,” Dhawan said.
“Where we need improvements were analysed and rectified in a meeting and surely will be creating much more impact in the coming game as well,” he added. Shardul Thakur, a bowling all-arounder who experienced discomfort during the first game, will be available for Wednesday’s game at the same Dhaka location, according to Dhawan. “He had a cramp but it was nothing serious,” he said.
Taskin Ahmed has resumed training after recovering from a back injury, but Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said they were unlikely to risk him. “I’m not sure we want to risk playing him yet. There is a lot of cricket to be played, there are a few Test matches and also (we want to) have the opportunity to keep developing the other fast bowlers,” Domingo said. The South African continued by saying that they were aware of the potential backlash they might experience when playing India in the second game.
“There’s also a sense that India will come back strong. We have to play better cricket than the first game, particularly with the bat. We can’t get away with it again,” he said. Bangladesh will win the ODI series against India with a victory on Wednesday. Bangladesh defeated India 2-1 the last time India visited Dhaka in 2015. Two Tests will follow the third and final game on December 10 in Chittagong and Chittagong and Dhaka, respectively.