NEW DELHI: Injured Rohit Sharma's heroic knock lower down the order went in vain as Bangladesh defeated India by 5 runs in the second one-dayer in Dhaka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With the win, Bangladesh claimed their second successive ODI series win against Team India on home soil. After winning an ODI series back in 2015 2-0, Bangladesh now have their second series win in the bag against powerhouse India.
Chasing 272 for victory, India fell 6 runs short of the target, finishing at 266 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs.
The clash between the two quality teams was a see-saw encounter, going down to the wire just like the opener. Here's a look at the key moments of the second ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium:
Rohit injury up front - Team India suffered a major blow right at the beginning of the match when skipper Rohit Sharma had to walk off after sustaining a serious injury to his left hand. The incident occurred in the second over of the match itself when Rohit was attempting a catch in the slip cordon off Mohammed Siraj. Splitting the webbing between his left thumb and index finger, a bloodied Rohit had to walk off the field and was taken for the scan where he also got stitches. The skipper remained out of action for the majority of the match, only making his way back with the bat in the 43rd over of India's chase.
Siraj, Umran and Sundar rattled the hosts - After the early drama of the Rohit Sharma injury, pacers Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik and offie Washington Sundar fired in unison to bring Bangladesh down to their knees. Siraj's swing and seam with the new-ball coupled with Umran's express pace took the Bangladeshis by surprise. Washington Sundar too joined the wagon with his disciplined bowling as India reduced hosts to 69 for six in the 19th over.
Remarkable recovery - With more than half of the side back in the hut before the 20th over, Bangladesh were down and out but Mehidy Hasan Miraz turned out to be the saviour, scripting a remarkable recovery for his team. The all-rounder along with Mahmudullah stitched a sensational 148-run partnership for the 7th wicket to first take the team out of troubled waters and then help post a challenging total. While Mahmudullah scored a masterful 77, Hasan played his best ODI knock ever yet, scoring his maiden international century. Last match hero, Hasan once again shined as India bowlers looked clueless against the youngster. As stand-in skipper KL Rahul and his bowlers were far away from getting through the Bangladesh lower-order, the Hasan-Mahmudullah partnership flourished from the 19th till the 46th over. Hasan eventually got to his first ODI ton on the final ball of the innings, taking Bangladesh to 271 for 7.
Top order rut - In the absence of injured Rohit Sharma, India had to make rearrangements at the top. As Virat Kohli came out to open alongside Shikhar Dhawan instead of the other opener KL Rahul, the combination failed miserably as Bangladesh ran through the openers. While Virat's (5) stumps were decimated by Ebadot Hossain, Dhawan (8) got a snorter from Mustafizur Rahman as India were once again deprived of a good start. Washington Sundar too failed to make good use of a No.4 promotion as he was dismissed for 11 in the 10th over. Rahul (14) tried to steady the Indian ship along with Shreyas Iyer but was caught in front of the stumps by Mehidy Hasan.
Shreyas-Axar's rescue and fightback from Bangladesh - After losing four wickets for just 65, India were in desperate need of a partnership. And Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel rose to the occasion adding 107 runs for the fifth wicket. As the partnership between the two flourished, India got back on course in the chase. In the process, Shreyas also got to his fifty and was looking aggressive and in complete control. But then in the 35th over, Mehidy Hasan returned and got the breakthrough for the hosts, removing a set Shreyas for 82. Axar followed Shreyas soon as India's chase nosedived at the end of the 39th over.
Rohit's late heroics in vain - After the fall of Shardul Thakur in the 43rd over, it looked all over for India but Rohit Sharma, out of nowhere came out to bat with an injured left hand, showing great character and courage. He along with lower order batters took India deep, giving the team a fighting chance. Scoring an unbeaten 51 off just 28 balls that included 3 fours and 5 sixes, Rohit took the match to the last over but with 6 needed off the last ball, Rohit could not get the ball across the line. After the early collapse India showed great fight late in the contest but could not avoid defeat.
