Pune, Oct 19: They are yet to post a win in the tournament and have been bothered by injuries. On Thursday, they too had to take the field, without their charismatic captain and their most crucial player Shakib Al Hasan.
But as in the recent years, Bangladesh again raised their game as they faced India on Thursday. It can be recalled that even in the Asia Cup and in the recent bilateral series, they had the upper hand against India.
Opting to bat first at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, here, Bangladesh set a competitive 257 target before India.
In reply, India were 122/1 in 17 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma after an aggressive 48 in 40 balls was out, caught by Towid Hridoy off Hasan Mahmud.
Earlier,in the allotted 50 overs, with half centuries by both their openers Litton Das (66) and Tanzid Hasan (51), Bangladesh scored 256/8 in the 17th match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Thursday.
Openers Litton and Tanzid played the Indian new ball bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd Siraj with extra caution initially, and then accelerated. They put up a valuable 93-run partnership for the first wicket in just 14.4 overs.
Tanzid was extra aggressive against Shardul Thakur, as he hit two sixes and one four in his first over.
Earlier, Virat Kohli had to complete Hardik Pandya's over, as the all-rounder suffered an injury bowling his first over.
Hardik left the field limping. Hardik leaving the field was an unexpected and huge jolt for India. The team management confirmed that Hardik would not be taking the field during the first innings. Later he was also taken to hospital for scans.
In the three balls bowled by Hardik, Litton scored two consecutive boundaries against him. While both Bangladesh openers were trying to be extra aggressive and shift gears, spinner Kuldeep Yadav got Tanzid LBW, much to India's reprieve.
Tanzid scored 51 in 43 balls, with five 4s and three 6s. Bangladesh lost their first wicket at 93.
In the 20th over, left-arm orthodox Ravindra Jadeja got stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto LBW for 8.
Siraj returned to attack and claimed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3), who edged a catch to keeper KL Rahul.
Trying to target Jadeja, Litton Das mistimed a lofted shot only to be caught by Shubman Gill at long-off. Litton scored a solid 66 in 82 balls, with 7 hits to the fence.
Towid Hridoy's 35-ball struggle at the crease ended with him playing an aerial shot to mid-wicket off Shardul Thakur, as Shubman Gill took another fine catch. Towid left after scoring 16.
Shardul came back strongly, after an off-colour start as Tanzid Hasan targetted him.
Bumrah was reintroduced to the attack and soon India celebrated fall of danger-man Mushfiqur Rahim. He was out caught brilliantly at backward point by ever alert Ravindra Jadeja. Rahim made 38 in 46 balls, with one boundary and a huge six.
Mahmudullah (46 in 36 balls with three 4s and three 6s), proved once again his value as a batter in the middle order. Before he could tear apart the Indian attack, Bumrah got him bowled.
Nasum Ahmed was next to go, caught by Rahul off Siraj. He departed after contributing 14, trying to improvise.
Among the Indian bowlers, Bumrah, Siraz and Jadeja claimed two wickets each. Shardul and Kuldeep got one each.
India retained the same squad for this match, which played against Afghanistan. On the other hand, Bangladesh are being led by Najmul Hossain Shanto instead of unwell skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
Bangladesh effected two changes in their playing XI, bringing in Nasum Ahmed in place of Shakib and also included Hasan Mahmud in place of pacer Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh (Playing XI):
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim(wicket-keeper), Mahmudullah, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
India (Playing XI):
Rohit Sharma(captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
