Ishan Kishan was an epitome of insane power-hitting as his record breaking fastest double hundred provided a healing touch in India’s crushing 227-run consolation victory over Bangladesh in the inconsequential third ODI at Chattogram on Saturday. Despite the record margin of victory biggest by any team against Bangladesh the 1-2 series defeat will certainly rankle the Indian team as both matches slipped away from its grasp after being in pole position.
Virat Kohli (113) struck his 44th ODI hundred. The century came Kohli’s way after nearly 40 months of barren spell but it was easily overshadowed by Kishan’s blitzkrieg as his 210 off 131 balls formed the cornerstone of India’s mammoth total of 409 for 8. His innings had 24 boundaries and 10 sixes and the double ton came off only 126 balls.
The total was always going to be insurmountable and Bangladesh were never in contention as they were bowled out for 182 in 34 overs with all the Indian bowlers being amongst wickets. Axar Patel (2/22), Shardul Thakur (3/30), Umran Malik (2/43), Mohammed Siraj (1/ 27) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/53) never really allowed the home team batters to dominate as they shared the spoils among themselves.
Bangladesh win ODI series
India’s shoddy batting display and the inability to land the killer blow contributed to their second successive series loss in Bangladesh after the diminutive Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the hosts to a five-run win in the second ODI with a memorable hundred earlier. Miraz tormented the Indian bowlers on way to his maiden century as Bangladesh staged a remarkable recovery to reach 271/7.
India’s challenge looked all over at 207 for seven but skipper Rohit Sharma’s (51 not out off 28 balls) valiant effort went in-vain as he nearly took his team home while batting with a split left webbing.
India needed a six off the final ball of the game but Mustafizur did well to perfect the yorker under pressure after bowling a slew of slow leg-breaks in the 48th over forcing Mohammed Siraj to play out a maiden. Bangladesh had also won their last ODI series against at home back in 2015 when Mashrafe Mortaza’s men got the better of M S Dhoni and Co.
