Bangladesh proved that they are still babes in International cricket by losing the semi-final match to Team India and lost the great opportunity of meeting arch-rival Pakistan in the final match of the Champions Trophy. Team India played to a plan and clinically achieved success by 41st over in a 50 over game by chasing the target of 265 with consumable ease. By putting Bangladesh into bat first, Virat Kohli had the task cut out for the semi-final action. With Soumya Sarkar getting out for a blob in the first over, the floodgates were open for further inroads. But Tamin Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim made a match of it adding 123 runs in just over 20 overs to provide good base for the batsmen to follow to go all out to achieve a 300 plus score. Kedar Jadhav was introduced in an effort to break the partnership and he did an outstanding job by dismissing both the top order batsmen in double quick time and that paved the way for the pacemen from India to cause further dent and a decent score was achieved by wagging of tail in the end. That was not enough to upset, the Indian juggernaut as the Bangladeshi bowlers failed to produce any surprise in ringing bowling changes and brought their star bowler Shakib Al Hassan rather late instead of introducing him fresh with the new ball. Mashrafe Mortza lacked imagination and allowed the Indian top order prosper and got a wicket at 87 and that was the only success as both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli added 178 undefeated runs to pave way for meeting Pakistan in the final match. Rohit remained unbeaten on 123 and Virat Kohli scored 96. Kudos to Kohli for the semi-final victory in a very convincing way. In the end Bangladesh was deflated and lost the one man race.
Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain could not complete his quota of 10 overs even though he was the most economical bowler from his side due to injury. He was sitting out during the crucial stages of the game and that gave Team India to go hammer and go all out for the target in record time. Rohit was good playing cover drive and the hook shot with perfection, whereas Kohli was scoring quick singles and twos and punished lose balls with regularity on both sides of the wicket. It was fine exhibition of excellent batting from the two right handers on a perfect batting strip. Bangladesh should have played punishing cricket by putting up 320 plus score and pressed the panic button when Indian openers were facing the new ball. Instead, the Tigers from Bengal played in an ordinary way and paid heavy price for being complacent. They could not affect early inroads and that made the task more easy to bat on and go in for top gear to attack from both ends to prevent any chance of Bangla side making a comeback.
Star spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja conceded more than 100 runs for one wicket but pacemen made amends for lack of turn with timely wickets. Jadhav joined the party by claiming two vital wickets to jolt the middle order and slowed down the proceedings after being 154 for 2 at one stage in 28 overs. Last 22 overs could see another 110 runs for 5 more wickets and that was turning point of the game. Both the semi-final losers England and Bangladesh failed to use the concept of a pinch hitter when the going was good and look for quick scores. Again, to defend a moderate total, spin should have been introduced from one end to put pressure rather than wait for the ball to lose shine. Fielding of both India and Bangladesh was not top class and gave some easy runs through misfield throughout the match.
Virat Kohli used his bowlers in short spells and that made the task of Bangladesh rather difficult in the end overs. The combo of Kohli and Dhoni brought quick changes to upset the applecart and even a score of 250 plus was not enough on a placid Birmingham track.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
