Mohammad Kaif has stated that India’s death-bowling flaws were highlighted and that they failed to perform under pressure in the first One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on Sunday, December 4.
After being assigned to bat first, Team India was bowled out for a disappointing 186. Their spinners, though, restricted Litton Das and company to 136/9 until an unbroken 51-run last-wicket partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman helped Bangladesh secure the win.
Mohammad Kaif on India’s bowling issues
Team India was defeated by Bangladesh in the first one-day international in Dhaka. Bangladesh triumphed by one wicket to grab a 1-0 series lead. The Indian batting order failed miserably against the Bangladeshi attack, which was spearheaded by Shakib Al Hasan and Ebadot Hossain. Nine wickets were shared by Shakib and Ebadot, with the former taking five of them.
In the second innings, the Indian bowlers managed the situation while defending the modest total. As Bangladesh was reduced to 136/9 in 39.3 overs and India only needed one wicket to win the opening game, it became clear that the battle would be fierce. However, Indian fielders’ errors allowed Bangladesh to get a bonus life, and Indian bowlers were unable to get the decisive wicket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was able to give the hosts the victory as a consequence.
After India’s setback, several cricket commentators expressed their surprise and some even had harsh words to say about Rohit Sharma and his team. Mohammad Kaif, a former cricketer for India, was one of them. He also presented a significant issue that the Indian team should take into account.
“It was India’s game, they had taken nine wickets. The bowling was excellent, they got India back into the game after the batters had a bad day. The bowling covered up for that until the 40th over, but the last 10 overs, who is our death bowler? Is it Deepak Chahar or Kuldeep Sen?” Kaif said.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was on 15 when KL Rahul missed an easy catch. The game’s outcome was altered by the dropped catch because India only needed one wicket to win. Washington Sundar lost an opportunity to take a catch shortly after that error, which ultimately cost India the game. Bangladesh won the match by one wicket as a result of the bowlers conceding runs under pressure.
“We dropped catches. KL Rahul doesn’t keep that often. He is a good fielder, he ran out Litton Das with a direct hit from the deep in the T20 World Cup. Sundar didn’t dive to try and take the catch. The fielders were seen under pressure. We made mistakes under pressure. We bowled wide balls and no-balls. You have to overcome pressure if you have to win the World Cup. That is how a team emerges, whether you talk about New Zealand or England, who are at the top in white-ball cricket,” he added.
