'It was India's game' - Ex-India batter questions India's death-bowling ability after loss against Bangladesh

Team India suffered a shocking defeat against Bangladesh in the first One-Day International (ODI) in Dhaka, as the hosts won by one wicket to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The Indian batting line-up crumbled in the face of a Bangladesh attack led by Shakib Al Hasan and Ebadot Hossain. The all-rounder finished with a five-wicket haul, while Hossain took four, as the Indian innings was dismissed for 186 in 41.2 overs.

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In response, the Indian bowlers kept things tight, reducing Bangladesh to 136/9 in 39.3 overs, but they were unable to pick the final wicket as the hosts completed the run chase in 46 overs. Mehidy Hasan, named Player of the Match, was the architect of Bangladesh's victory, stitching a record stand with Mustafizur Rahman.

Hasan finished with an unbeaten 38 off 39 balls, including four boundaries and two maximums. Mustafizur, on the other hand, played a flawless second fiddle, scoring 10 in 11 balls. Many people immediately blamed India's poor fielding for the loss. KL Rahul and Washington Sundar had opportunities to win the contest for India, but they both failed to do so.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed similar sentiments but also posed a question that he felt cost India the game. "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?" noted Kaif during a discussion on Sony Sports.

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"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," he added.

The fielders were seen under pressure: Mohammad Kaif

Kaif also believed that India buckled under pressure, resulting in unnecessary extras. He went on to issue a stern warning to Rohit Sharma and his team, saying: "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.

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"I am disappointed that we are crumbling under pressure. You can talk about captaincy or bowling changes. The game went well until the 40th over, but then came Mehidy Hasan Miraz and showed the Bangladesh batters how to play. But I feel the young bowlers couldn't finish the game in the last 10 overs."