The Hindu : Sport : Dhoni puts his head down to guide India home

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Friday, May 11, 2007
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Dhoni puts his head down to guide India home

Vijay Lokapally

IN CONTROL: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, though affected by cramps, played sensibly to help India beat Bangladesh. — Photo: AFP

DHAKA . India's batting strength was put to test before M.S. Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik propelled the team to a five-wicket win over a refreshingly determined Bangladesh in the first of the three-match one-day series here on Thursday.

The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, filled to capacity, did not produce a belter as was expected but there was reason for the local fans to smile even in defeat.

The home team did enough to distinguish itself on a humid day that tested the physical fitness of the players.

"The conditions were very tough. It was very hot and quite bad, especially for the fast bowlers," said `man of the match' Dhoni, ironically enough in cool conditions as the presentation ceremony was conducted hurriedly due to a drizzle.

Dhoni batted a major part of his innings with cramps but it was an innings that had been constructed in tune with the situation.

Positive signals

In electing to bat after a delayed start, Bangladesh sent positive signals to its supporters.

By setting India a target of 251 in 47 overs, the home team only reconfirmed its growing reputation as a bunch that has come to believe in itself. If only Bangladesh had matched its batting deeds with some good fielding. A number of run-out opportunities off direct hits were squandered at crucial stages.

The most crucial being Karthik's let-off early in his innings when bowler Abdur Razzak failed to collect the throw.

Skipper Habibul Bashar had backed his players strongly and there was a marked improvement in the approach as opener Javed Omar demonstrated in a disciplined knock of 80.

Omar's was a significant essay in the company of Tamim Iqbal. He tormented the bowlers, especially Zaheer Khan, who got smashed around. The trend had been set by Iqbal's belligerence and Omar built on the start by playing the waiting game.

The Indian bowlers explored intensely but Iqbal and Omar revelled in their strokeplay. Iqbal was not averse to stepping out to clout the ball. His was a daring performance and most entertaining, putting the bowlers under pressure, and scattering the fielders as he picked gaps at will. There was a discernible concern in the Indian camp with Bangladesh setting a scorching pace but Iqbal's dismissal gave Rahul Dravid and his men the much-needed reprieve. The Indian attack was not at its best but credit to the Bangladesh batsmen for applying themselves.

Omar's 111-ball knock with seven fours and Iqbal's 45 off 53 balls with six fours laid the foundation for Bangladesh.

Saqibul Hasan came up with a neat fifty off 68 balls but the innings lost direction after he got out with seven overs to go. Mohammad Ashraful's late charge gave the innings a thrust but India managed to control the flow of runs.

The lone Indian bowler to command respect was left-arm spinner Dinesh Mongia while S. Sreesanth retired with cramps after five good overs.

And the Indians scored the runs when it mattered. If Dhoni's footwork was slowed down considerably by cramps, Karthik remained typically flamboyant, making light of the challenge that Bangladesh threw in the shape of a spin-dominated attack. The home team missed star seamer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who was ruled out due to a back pain.

Rousing start

The Indian batting faltered after a rousing start by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Boundaries came in a torrent but then the wickets too fell in a heap after Gambhir departed and Sehwag fell to an impulsive drive.

Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and Dinesh Mongia were deceived by the change in pace and suddenly Bangladesh entertained hopes of a repeat of the World Cup feat.

It was left to Dhoni and the enterprising Karthik to frustrate the opposition. Karthik crafted his knock with a relentless charge. Timing was Karthik's forte as he hit four fours in his 60-ball show while Dhoni took 106 balls with seven fours, a most uncharacteristic demonstration by the dashing wicketkeeper.

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh: J. Omar (run out) 80, Tamim c Sehwag b Mongia 45, H. Bashar c Gambhir b Powar 0, Saqibul st. Dhoni b Mongia 50, M. Ashraful b Mongia 29, Aftab lbw b Sehwag 16, M. Rafique c Karthik b Powar 11, M. Rahim (not out) 1; Extras: (lb-1, nb-4, w-13) 18. Total: (for seven wkts., in 47 overs) 250.

Fall of wickets: 1-78, 2-78, 3-185, 4-200, 5-236, 6-240, 7-250.

India bowling: Zaheer 7-1-54-0, Sreesanth 5-1-14-0, Munaf 7-1-31-0, Powar 10-0-55-2, Mongia 10-0-49-3, Sehwag 8-0-46-1.

India: G. Gambhir lbw b Rasel 21, V. Sehwag c Saqibul b Rasel 30, M.S. Dhoni (not out) 91, Yuvraj c Razzak b Hossain 1, R. Dravid c Razzak b Saqibul 22, D. Mongia c Aftab b Saqibul 17, D.Karthik (not out) 58; Extras: (lb-4,nb-1, w-6) 11. Total: (for five wkts., in 46 overs) 251.

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-56, 3-63, 4-112, 5-144.

Bangladesh bowling: Rasel 9-0-66-2, Hossain 7-0-43-1, Razzak 9-1-35-0, Rafique 10-0-47-0, Saqibul 9-0-43-2, Aftab 2-0-13-0.

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