Focus on Rohit Sharma as under-pressure India look to avoid another ODI series defeat in Bangladesh

India will look to avoid a second successive ODI series defeat in Bangladesh when they take on the hosts in a must-win 2nd ODI of a 3-match series on Wednesday, December 7.

The visitors fell to a one-wicket defeat after a shoddy batting display in the series opener, as their preparation for next year’s World Cup with a nearly full-strength batting unit did not get off to a good start.

India had arrived in Bangladesh for the first-ever ODI series in 7 years. Under MS Dhoni, India lost a series 2-1 in 2015 to their neighbours. There will be extra motivation for Bangladesh on Wednesday as they would want to continue their proud 6-year unbeaten run in ODI series at home.

India are under pressure as results across formats haven’t gone their way in 2022. Captain Rohit Sharma will come under the scanner as he has been struggling for form in the recent past. After a forgettable T20 World Cup campaign with the bat, Rohit looked jittery with the bat on a sluggish pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

His trouble against spin is well-documented and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan castled him on Sunday. Rohit got a start but he was undone by the wily senior spinner for 27.

India would want their captain to step up and deliver big in the crucial must-win match on Wednesday. The onus will also be on senior batters Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli as both the Delhi batters played shots that they could have avoided on a difficult batting deck in Mirpur.

Dhawan, speaking to the press on the eve of the 2nd ODI, conceded that India did not adapt to conditions well but they had a team meeting in which they worked out how to go about their business on Wednesday.

Dhawan said he and his teammates were intent on practicising sweeps and reverse sweeps in the training session on Tuesday, saying it’s important to have plans to counter the Bangladesh spinners, who are going to be a huge threat for India.

“Where we need improvements, we analysed that and rectified in a team meeting. Surely, we will be creating much more impact in the coming games,” Dhawan said.

“We are very, very confident about tomorrow’s game. This is not the first time we have lost the first game in a series. It’s quite normal and we know how to bounce back from these situations,” he added.

While KL Rahul continued to impress in the middle order (73 off 70), India would want more from Shreyas Iyer, who had an off-day after failing to convert a good start (24 off 39).

ANOTHER BATTER IN XI?
India might also look to beef up their batting by bringing in one of Rahul Tripathi or Rajat Patidar as they are missing Rishabh Pant in the middle-order. The wicketkeeper-batter returned home after he was released from the squad. The board did not reveal whether he picked up an injury but said he would be back for the ODI series.

Washington Sundar’s improved showing with the bat will give India confidence and it remains to be seen if Axar Patel is fit for selection after missing the first ODI. The left-arm spinner might take the place of Shahbaz Ahmed.

Shardul Thakur is available for selection, according to Dhawan, even as doubts over his fitness remained. The all-rounder suffered cramps during the series opener.

BANGLADESH EYE UNBEATABLE LEAD
On the other hand, Bangladesh will also look to come up with a better batting show, knowing 250 could be a winning total if the pitch in Mirpur plays out the same way as it did in the first ODI.

While Najmul Hossain Shanto missed out in the first ODi despite having a good time with Bangladesh A against India A, Bangladesh would want their Big 3 in the middle-order — Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, to fare better.

Bangladesh will be pumped up as they are just a win away from winning two successive ODI series at home against the Asian powerhouses. They wouldn’t want to leave it to Chattogram but it will not be easy against India, who will be charged-up to bounce back from the first ODI defeat.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE 2ND ODI BE PLAYED?

The 2nd ODI will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur from 12 pm local time and 11:30 am IST on Wednesday, November 7.