Rohit Sharma braved a dislocation on his left thumb and produced what could have been a defining knock of his career.
Coming in at No.9 when all seemed lost for India in their pursuit of a 272-run target in the second ODI in Mirpur on Wednesday, the India captain hit a superb 28-ball 51 not out which included three fours and five sixes.
Yet, that didn’t prove to be enough for India as Bangladesh sneaked home with a five-run win to take an unassailable 2-0 lead and seal the series. In response to Bangladesh’s 271 for 7, India managed 266 for the loss of nine wickets.
This was Bangladesh’s second straight ODI series win at home against India. Back in 2015, they had beaten the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side 2-1.
The margin of defeat would have been even more embarrassing for India if not for Rohit’s late blitzkrieg. Despite the 107-run fifth-wicket stand between Shreyas Iyer (82) and Axar Patel (56), the equation was still a tough one for India.
The skipper had to be rushed to the hospital for scans during the first half of play after he hurt his left thumb while trying to take a catch at slips.
As he didn’t come out to open, it was evident that he was in some discomfort. When he finally came out to bat, India still needed 65 off just 44 balls and soon after, Deepak Chahar too perished.
The equation then was 59 off 29 balls for India. But in spite of all the pain, Rohit showed his class. Yes, he did play a few dots to start with and was also dropped twice, but by no means does that undermine his brilliant effort which took India so close to the target.
Till the final ball of the game, India had a chance of winning. With Rohit slamming Mustafizur Rahman down the ground for a six off the penultimate ball, India needed a six for victory.
But Mustafizur held his nerves and got his yorker in place, denying India a series-levelling win.
Further misfortune awaits India as Rohit is uncertain for the coming two-Test series that begins on December 14. “Rohit, Kuldeep (Sen) and Deepak (Chahar) have been ruled out of the third ODI.
“Rohit will fly back to Mumbai and consult with an expert and see how it (injured finger) is. We are not in a position to say whether he will be able to play the Test series. It is too early as of now,” head coach Rahul Dravid said later.
In a nutshell, Rohit would not have been required to bat had India’s bowlers not messed up once again. Bangladesh, winning the toss and opting to bat first, were reeling at 69 for 6 in 19 overs.
But then, as he did in the first ODI, Mehidy Hasan Miraz hurt India once again. And this time he hit a sensational 83-ball 100 not out, getting solid assistance from the experienced Mahmudullah (77). The pair forged together 148 runs for the seventh wicket.
In his maiden ODI century, Miraz smashed eight fours and four sixes, cashing in on the Indian bowlers’ complacency and lack of discipline, especially in the closing overs.
Thereafter, senior pros Virat Kohli (opening in place of Rohit), Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul floundered leaving Shreyas and Axar with a little too much to do.
