World Cup 2019, Match 40: Bangladesh vs India – Who Said What

Bangladesh might have exited the World Cup 2019 but they didn’t do that without putting in a great fight. The team gave India a massive scare but only to see their efforts fall short. Bangladesh lost a few quick wickets in the middle overs and that might have potentially affected their chances. Although the Tigers fell way short of the target, this game was nothing less than a thriller.

Rohit Sharma set the tone up for India after they opted to bat first. He made the most of an early reprieve that he got in the form of a catch drop. Together with KL Rahul, he built up a 180-run partnership. While the vice-captain went on to get his 26th ODI hundred, his partner got out for 77. Virat Kohli couldn’t get to a fifty this time around and got out for 26. Though, Rishabh Pant (48) and MS Dhoni (35) ensured that there wasn’t any collapse of sorts.

Contributions from these two batsmen got India to 314/9 in 50 overs. However, this wasn’t completely a par-score and it needed a special effort from the bowlers. They sure didn’t disappoint even in situations where they were subject to immense pressure.

Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya save the day for India

Most of the Bangladesh batsmen got good starts but couldn’t convert it into big ones. Yet, they seemed to be in a good stage at 162/3 at one point in time. However, three quick wickets turned the tables upside down. The team was reduced to 179/6 and not many gave Bangladesh a chance from here on. However, Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin had other plans.

They built up a threatening partnership but the former got out at a wrong at on 36. Saifuddin did try hard and took his team extremely close. However, he ran out of partners and was left stranded on 51 resulting in a 28-run loss. While Jasprit Bumrah picked up 4 wickets for India, Hardik Pandya accounted for three.

Rohit Sharma, the Player of the Match, said

I had a great feeling right at the start. The pitch was good to bat on. Initially wanted to take some time and then assess where we go from there. That’s how it has been for me at this World Cup. The first game against South Africa the conditions were challenging, so I had to take my time.

Against England as well the pitch was two paced and wasn’t coming onto the bat as normally I would like to and they used the slower balls really well. But again batting first there is no pressure of the scoreboard. You come out thinking to be positive and that’s what I do. I was lucky. Fortune favors the brave. I never think about the short boundary. My game is all about piercing the field and once I am in there the idea is to put pressure on the bowlers.

My mantra is whatever has happened in the past, keep it in the past. It is a new day, present day and I don’t try to think what has happened. That is very critical from a team’s point of view, the guys who are batting well should carry on and get the team to a good total. What has happened today has happened, I need to focus on the next game now.

Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain, said

That was the match we had to win. We couldn’t make it but there was some good performance by Mustafizur. One of them had to go on and score 80-90. Bit of luck could have gone our favour. The tournament has been nice, exceptional performance by Shakib and Mushy batted really well right through. A batsman like Rohit Sharma in such form, but it happens in cricket and we cannot blame Tamim for that. We will try to play our best in the last game. They were here supporting us today as well.

Virat Kohli, the India captain, said

I mean Bangladesh has played some really good cricket in the tournament. They deserve a lot of credit for the fight they put up, even till the last wicket I think they were in the game. We had to work hard for the win but very happy that we saw ‘Q’ (Qualified) in front of the team in the table now. Another game as an opportunity for us to do the same things we have done so far in the tournament, and I think that will keep us in the frame of mind heading towards the semi-final.

And as I said, we are really really happy that we qualified for the semi-final with one more game to go. We experienced that when Hardik put under pressure has come back well in the tournament. He finds a way to contain runs and get you wickets, he’s really looking forward to do stuff for the team and that’s really helping his cricket. When he comes on to bowl he thinks as a batsman and that helps him to think, think what the batsmen could do.