India registered a thumping win over Bangladesh in the final match of the three-match ODI series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. The men in blue displayed a wonderful combined performance to achieve a consolation win after they had lost each of the first two matches.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, were totally outplayed and handed a one-sided defeat. The hosts failed to have any sort of impact on the game and were totally pushed to the corner by the opposition.
Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss and elected to field first in the dead rubber. India had a really poor start with the bat as an out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan was sent back early just for the score of 3. Ishan Kishan looked solid at one end as he continued to play confident strokes. Virat Kohli, who came in to bat at No. 3, started steering the innings forward along with the young left-hander.
With the passage of time, the duo began taking all the bowlers in the Bangladesh lineup on demand. The runs began to flow faster than ever as both batters looked to be in no trouble.
The left-right combination seemed to be an absolute nemesis for the hosts as the batters piled on runs. Ishan Kishan brought up a magnificent century off just 85 balls, while Virat Kohli also brought up a fifty on the other end.
The partnership, however, continued to add to the bowlers’ miseries. Ishan Kishan, in particular, changed his mind immediately after reaching three figures and went on to score a magnificent double century off only 126 balls.
He was eventually dismissed for 210. Virat Kohli too soon brought up his 44th ODI century in style, his first in 40 months. Once these batters were gone, the Bangladesh side had some respite and was able to rattle the Indian middle order with quick wickets.
Some good finishing touches from Axar Patel (37 off 27) and Axar Patel (20 off 17) helped India cross the 400 mark. India eventually posted a total of 409/8 in 50 overs.
Bangladesh were already under immense pressure after having conceded so many runs with the ball in the first half of the match. The team didn’t have the ideal start and lost both of its openers, Anamul Haque and Litton Das, inside the first 10 overs. None of the batters were being allowed to settle as the wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
Bangladesh had half their team out for 124 after well-established Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed for 43. Mehdi Hasan, who was the hero for Bangladesh with the bat in the previous two matches, was sent back just for three this time.
Bangladesh were reduced to 149/9 after Shardul Thakur took three wickets in three overs. Some good resistance from Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman for the last wicket helped Bangladesh reach 182 before being bowled out. India won the match by a massive margin of 227 runs. Ishan Kishan was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant double century with the bat.
