The situations on the R Premadasa Stadium have been tailored to check India. With no rain in sight, and taking part in on an already used pitch, skipper Rohit Sharma needed to see how his batting line-up got here up towards a spin-heavy Bangladesh workforce when chasing within the inconsequential Super 4 fixture.
In the tip India misplaced by six runs, chasing 266. It was a basic glass half full, half empty state of affairs. The greatest constructive was the rise and rise of Shubman Gill, who stroked a luxurious century; Axar Patel confirmed his later-order batting prowess; Shardul Thakur was among the many wickets. But as a lot as spin, medium tempo too troubled them.
In reality, barring the impeccable Shakib, they did handle to take advantage of the remainder of the quartet. All of them bled 5 or extra runs an over. But Tanzim Hasan Sakib, making his debut, and Mustafizur Rahman too tormented them, the previous with a two-wicket burst on the high, and the latter sometimes on the demise, sharing 5 wickets within the course of. Rahman introduced abilities anticipated of him, cutters, anglers, slower balls, yorkers, although greater than ever earlier than he hit the excessive 130 kph later within the innings.
It was the debutant Sakib that impressed essentially the most. His lack of pure tempo turned out to be a advantage as batsmen, even the majestic Gill, struggled to time him. Only the skilled Mohammed Shami was stingier than he was (4.08). Even although India have been with out talisman Virat Kohli, the win may raise Bangladesh’s morale earlier than the World Cup.
But how Bangladesh managed to pile 265 is a trigger for concern. When Thakur and Shami diminished Bangladesh to 59/4 in 14 overs, it seemed as if this is able to be one other stroll within the park for India. But Bangladesh recovered by their skipper Shakib Al Hasan (80) and Towhid Hridoy (54) earlier than Nasum Ahmed supplied ending touches with 44 as they set 266 for India to chase on a pitch that was solely going to get slower and slower underneath lights.
Among India’s positives was the rise and rise of Shubman Gill, who stroked a luxurious century. (AP/PTI)
From the second India misplaced Rohit and Varma inside the primary three overs, their problem solely obtained larger and larger. Ravaged by accidents, Bangladesh haven’t had a match the place they’ll take house one thing to cheer forward of the World Cup. But that is the format, the place they’re extra at house, particularly within the sub-continental situations. Despite creating a core of quick bowlers who at the moment are starting to make a mark, Bangladesh’s greatest asset is their military of spinners. Unlike different groups, they don’t have a wrist spinner of their ranks, and as a substitute put their religion on finger spinners (proper and left-arm) who can present them management always and can even double up as their strike bowlers.
On a clay soil pitch, that might have reminded them of the situations in Mirpur, Shakib introduced within the left-arm spin of Nasum Ahmed as early as sixth over with Gill and KL Rahul within the center. For a workforce that has been counter-attacking their method out of hassle within the match, India had to have a look at different choices to come back out of hassle.
For all of the batting riches they possess, the present crop of Indian batsmen should not too proficient towards spinners on turning tracks. Friday was one other instance of it—because it was towards Australia at Chepauk someday in the past and towards Bangladesh at their house.
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When the ball grips and turns, they have an inclination to battle. When the ball holds off the floor, they’ll find yourself trying peculiar, the place they’re early by their shot or find yourself throwing away their wicket seeking huge hits or by taking part in throughout the road. All of it was on the forefront right here, particularly within the dismissals of Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar. The solely exception was Gill. Thanks to his minimal footwork and set off motion, he shortly adjusted to the tempo of the floor.
Gill’s guide
It is just not as if Gill’s innings was fool-proof. Like others he too was overwhelmed for tempo. But the place he obtained away in comparison with the remaining was, barring for one event, he seldom performed towards the flip when the spinners operated. Whenever the spinners gave a little bit of flight, he would bounce on the alternative, however he hardly dedicated to a shot early. The one time he did, Gill simply hit Shakib by the road. It was nothing however a verify shot, and for a second it saved the long-off fielder , nonetheless the timing carried it past the ropes.
The timing was a trademark of Gill’s fifth ODI century, the place he used his minimal footwork to good impact to travel. Despite shedding wickets round him, Gill saved India within the sport, and every time the asking charge appeared to mount, he managed to search out the boundaries and sixes. Five of his eight fours got here by covers and level on a gradual pitch can solely be additional vindication of his particular expertise. He carried them until the forty fourth over earlier than holding out within the deep. From thereon Axar fought a lone battle, but it surely was little too late as Bangladesh ultimately prevailed.
