Bangladesh A made a disappointing start to the India tour as they were thumped by 96 runs at the hands of their Indian counterpart in the first one-day match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru yesterday. The India A recovered from a shaky start to amass a gigantic 322 for seven, being sent to bat first, after which second string Bangladesh produced a dismal batting show to be all out for 226 in 42.3 overs.
Captain Mominul Haque’s decision to bowl first seemed to go in seemingly right direction with the bowlers scything down the half of the Indian batting line up within 125 runs in 26th overs. Amid the carnage of the Bangladeshi bowlers, the Indian lower order showed an audacious batting performance to turn the tide. Gurkeerat Singh should be credited for the turnaround as the off-spinner not only produced a bold 65 runs knock but also managed to haul five wickets to lead the side to a big win against the side who almost was a national team of Bangladesh.
Gurkeerat’s 101-run partnership with Sanju Samson, the batsmen, dubbed as the future prospect of Indian batting line, firstly bailed the side out of danger. When Gurkeerat was dismissed by Arafat Sunny , India A were well placed with 226 for six from 125 for five. Gurkeerat struck nine fours in his 58 balls knock. Samson then shared a whirlwind 78-run partnership with Rishi Dhawan to take the side past 300, which seemed unlikely at one phase. Samson hit 73 off 76 with nine fours to be the highest scorer of the side.
Dhawan’s 56 was studded with eight fours and two sixes in which he played just 34 balls. He was unbeaten at the end. The India A scored 77 runs in the last five overs. Bangladesh failed to produce the kind of start which needed in pursuit of a big chase. Rather Sreenath Aravind made their life hell with double strike in which he took out Soumya Sarkar (9) and Anamul Haque Bijoy (0) in the consecutive deliveries.
Litton Das and Nasir Hossain resisted, showing utmost patience and dealt the rejuvenated Indian bowlers admirably. They shared 120 runs after which Gurkeerat Singh suddenly made inroads to dismiss Bangladesh A who lost the last five wickets inside 15 runs. Gurkeerat Singh took all of the five wickets to finish the figure with 7.3-0-29-5. Litton Das made run-a-ball 75, smashing eight fours and two sixes while vice-captain Nasir Hossain made 52 off 71 with two fours and as many sixes.