In a rain-shortened match in Mirpur, Marufa Akter's 4/29 helps the hosts defeat India by 40 runs using the DLS technique.
Bangladesh's skipper Nigar Sultana predicted that their victory in the final T20I of a three-match series against India on Thursday would give them momentum going into the ODI series. She was correct, as the hosts defeated India by 40 runs (DLS method) in the first ODI, which was postponed due to rain, on Sunday at Mirpur. Bangladesh has never previously defeated India in this format.
In a match that was limited to 44 overs per side, medium-pacer Marufa Akter claimed 4/29 to help Bangladesh hold India to 113 in their run chase of 154. To beat the Indian hitters, she created movement and bowled quickly. Rabeya Khan, a leg-spinner, also contributed with 3/30 in numbers.
Sultana contributed significantly to Bangladesh's 152-run total after being sent in by India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur with a knock of 39. Amanjot Kaur, a medium-pacer for India, made a memorable debut with taking 4/31 in nine overs. Devika Vaidya, a leg-spinner, contributed by taking two wickets.
The bowlers from Bangladesh continued to score frequently to maintain their lead in the match and prevent the Indians from forming a significant partnership. India needed the duo of Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues to lead the chase after openers Smriti Mandhana and Priya Punia were removed for low scores. Kaur, who is considered to be somewhat susceptible to spin, was however defeated by Nahida Akter's left-arm spin on five runs.
Deepti Sharma and Amanjot joined forces at 61/5 and gave them some hope with a 30-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but Akter struck off consecutive deliveries to end India's chances of winning. Deepti's catch at midwicket off the bowling of Rabeya, who finished with a maximum score of 20, was the icing on the cake for India.
"We contributed at least 20 runs more. After the game, Harmanpreet stated, "We bowled a lot of sloppy balls and weren't up to the standard. Obviously, no one accepted accountability in the batting department. No, we are not helpless in the face of leg spinners, but they were very effective. Because of our success in ODIs, we need to concentrate on rotating the strike.
India's batting has to get much better, but they may have also missed the off spin of Minnu Mani, who excelled in the T20 series but isn't on the ODI team.
On Wednesday in Mirpur, the second One-Day International of the three-match series will be played.
