Bangladesh vs India, 1st ODI - Talking points and Who Said What

Hosts Bangladesh locked horns with neighbours India in the first of the three-match ODI series wherein the former registered a narrow win by just one wicket thereby leading the series 1-0.

Bangladesh had won the toss and put the visitors to bat first, who ended up putting a rather underwhelming total of 186 runs due to the sensational bowling performances by veteran star Shakib Al Hasan's fifer coupled with Ebadot Hossain's four-fer. What could have been a comfortable chase for the Bangla Tigers slowly turned out to be a nightmare for the side as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The team India bowling unit swiftly put the pressure on the hosts despite having to try and defend the low scoring total. While the batting was a major let down from both sides, the bowlers, however, were having a field day as wickets fell in quick succession. In any case, it was Mehidy Hasan who kept calm till the very end that guided the side to a victory in their first 50-over contest against the Men in Blue.

Terrific start for debutant Kuldeep Sen

Young Kuldeep Sen made his debut for the side in the first ODI match against the Bangla Tigers and relished a very fine outing. The pace spearhead racked up two wickets in his five overs and gave away 37 runs at an economy rate of 7.40. While there is a lot for the young sensation to prove, undoubtedly, Kuldeep played a fine innings with the ball for a start.

Bangla Tigers remain calm under pressure

While the chase should have been a rather easy job for the side considering they were to bring down a total of 187 runs, however, with the wickets falling quickly, the side did feel the heat. The onus was on Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman to keep rotating the strike and get ahead in the match and that is precisely what the duo did coming down the order. Hasan proved his mettle, managing to score an unbeaten 38 runs off 39 balls that handed their side the first win in the series.

Losing skipper, Rohit Sharma said:

It was a very close game. We did pretty well to comeback into that position. We didn't bat well. 184 wasn't good enough, but we bowled pretty well and they held the nerve in the end. If you look back how we bowled right from ball one - of course we would have loved to bowl better at the end - but we bowled pretty well for 40 overs and took overs. We just didn't have enough runs. Another 25-30 runs would have helped. We were looking at 240-250 after the 25 over mark. When you keep losing wickets it is difficult. We need to learn and understand how to play on such wickets. No excuse for us because we are used to these wickets. I don't really know how much they can improve in a couple of practice session. I feel the genes are there and it's only about handling pressure.

Turns out it was a good game. Started with some tackiness with India struggling. Shakib bossed his way to a stunning five-wicket haul. KL Rahul played a grinding 73 to post a fighting total. India used all the help from the pitch - both pacers and spinners to put Bangladesh under pressure. Washi started the collapse by getting a set Litton Das and Bangladesh lot 7 wickets for 62 runs since then. India were cruising home with the passionate home crowd stunned, but Mehidy lifted their spirits shot by shot. Showed how a determined batter can still score runs on this pitch and in the end a bit of dew gave aid as well. Not to discount Fizz's valuable gluing at the end than trying to slog and let his partner down.

Winning skipper, Litton Das said:

Very happy. I was very nervous sitting in the dressing room. I enjoyed Mehidy's batting in the last 6-7 overs. Siraj and Shardul bowled very well in the middle overs and shifted the momentum towards their side. When me and Shakib were batting we thought we could chase this easily, but it got difficult after we both got out and India bowled really well. Outstanding innings from Mehidy.

Player of the Match, Mehidy Hasan said:

 I am really happy and excited. I was only thinking about focusing on one area and believing in that strategy and I knew I only needed to bat about 20 balls to get going. I tried to bowl wicket to wicket with the ball. It is a memorable performance for me.