Bangladesh vs India, 2nd ODI: Injured Rohit Sharma’s heroics in vain as Bangladesh defend 271 to clinch series 2-0

Rohit Sharma’s heroic effort with the bat went in vain as the India captain’s 28-ball 51 not out was not enough for the visitors to chase 272 and prevent a series defeat against Bangladesh in the 2nd ODI on Wednesday.

At the Shere Bangla Stadium, the India captain, braving a finger injury, put on a stunning show of power-hitting but he was not able to take the team past the finish line.

Rohit joined MS Dhoni in an unwanted captaincy list as India lost their second successive ODI series in Bangladesh. Under Dhoni, India had lost a 3-match series for the first time in Bangladesh in 2015.

Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 51 from just 28 balls, hitting 5 huge sixes and 3 boundaries but Mustafizur Rahman successfully defended 20 runs in the final over. Rohit hit two boundaries and a six in a thrilling final over but the left-arm pacer had the last laugh.

Rohit won hearts for his heroic effort as he did not take the field after injuring his finger as early as the 2nd over of the match while fielding at slips. Rohit was taken to the hospital for scans and he was seen with taping on his finger before he took the call to come out to bat.

Rohit confirmed after the match that he had not fractured his finger, brining relief to the Indian camp ahead of the 2-match Test series later in December.

Captain @ImRo45 is doing everything he can to help #TeamIndia get over the line. He has hit 4×6 and 1×4 and is batting on 37 from 22 balls.

India are 252-9 and need 20 in the final over. pic.twitter.com/VaOY7C08yf — BCCI (@BCCI) December 7, 2022

THRILL RIDE – PART 2 IN MIRPUR
It was a dramatic match where the fans in Mirpur had their money’s worth. India looked like they would cruise to a comfortable victory when they had Bangladesh reeling at 69 for 6.

However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the hero of their first ODI win, hit a stunning hundred, his maiden in the 50-over cricket. Mehidy’s onslaught at the end gave Bangladesh 62 runs in the last 5 overs after his record-setting 148-run partnership with Mahmudullah for the 7th wicket as Bangladesh posted 271 runs.

India’s hopes took a decisive blow when all-rounder Shardul Thakur, capable of hitting the big ones, was deceived by Shakib Al Hasan’s flight and guile as India slipped to 207 for 7 in the 43rd over.

However, Rohit Sharma braved a split webbing on his finger to come out and bat for India at No. 9, becoming the first India captain in 43 years to bat at that position.

Rohit appeared gingerly as he allowed his partner Deepak Chahar to swing for the big ones but Chahar fell Ebadot Hossain in the 46th over.

Much to the cheers of the India fans at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Rohit took the onus upon himself to get the big hits. Against Ebadot, who had his tail up after picking up 3 wickets, Rohit, with a taping on his injured finger, hit two sixes — one 92m and another 91m to keep India’s hopes alive.

Rohit took the chase which looked dead and buried to the final over as he put on a brave face despite the injury concern.

IYER AND AXAR IMPRESS
India were in a position of comfort when Shreyas Iyer, who became India’s leading run-getter in ODIs in 2022, was dealing with the threat of Bangladesh spinners wonderfully well, was involved in a 117-run stand with Axar Patel for the 5th wicket. Iyer hit 82 in 102 balls but he was out in the deep, trying to hit one into the stands in the 35th over against Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

It was one risk too many as Shreyas Iyer, who had just hit a six against Mehidy, tried to the attack the off-spinner who did not put a foot wrong on Wednesday.

Iyer’s wicket opened the doors for Bangladesh who were doing a fine job, tying down new India batters on a tricky pitch, which played better than it played on Sunday when Bangladesh chased down a 187-run target after a 51-run partnership for the last wicket.

Axar Patel kept the India chase on track as he got to his second ODI fifty, hitting 3 sixes and 2 boundaries after dominating the spinners. Axar, who missed the first ODI due to a niggle, showcased he is capable of doing the job with the bat by providing support to Shreyas Iyer and also keeping the scorers busy at a brisk pace.

However, Axar fell in the 39th over to pacer Ebadot Hossain, who had begun the day with Virat Kohli’s wicket.

Rohit gaveit his all in the end but the India captain and his team paid the price for not being on top of their games with both bat and ball in the two ODIs.

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan failed for the second successive time in the ODI series as pressure is mounting on the senior batters.