Heavy rain kept stopping the match
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Numerous rain interruptions led to the third ODI between India and Bangladesh in Dhaka being abandoned.
Bangladesh had India’s batsmen in all sorts of trouble once again, but due to the heavy rain and time lost, the umpires had no choice but to call the match off.
India captain Suresh Raina would have been regretting his decision to bat first after opening batsman Robin Uthappa was caught by Nasir Hossain at slip off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza for five runs.
Ajinkya Rahane only made three runs before he was also caught by Hossain at first slip off the bowling of Al-Amin Hossain.
Ambati Rayudu fared no better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed for one run.
Following Rayudu’s dismissal, there was a 30-minute delay due to a passing rain shower.
India’s collapse continued after the short delay as Manoj Tiwary was caught by Anamul Haque at second slip off the bowling of Hossain.
Just a few overs later, the rain returned and the players were back in the pavilion once again.
After a two and a half hour delay, the match finally resumed, but it was shortened down to 40 overs per side.
The rain delay once again seemed to benefit Bangladesh as Raina was caught behind off the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan for 25.
Wriddhiman Saha managed to make 16 runs before he was clean bowled by Al Hasan.
Stuart Binny was lucky not to be dismissed for a golden duck as the third umpire ruled that the ball he edged to Hossain at first slip had not carried.
Cheteshwar Pujara scored 27 runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Al Hasan.
Akshar Patel only made one run before he was caught behind off the bowling of Ahmed.
Mohit Sharma mustered one run before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Sohag Gazi.
Following Sharma’s dismissal, the heavens parted yet again and the players were ushered off the field.
With the rain refusing to relent, the umpires decided to abandon the match.
Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Ahmed and Hossain snapped up two wickets apiece and Mortaza and Gazi chipped in with one wicket each.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was disappointed to have lost the series 2-0, and said: “The wicket was helping but you still have to bowl in good areas, so credit goes to our pace bowlers, specially Taskin and Al Amin. When the win is not coming it is difficult to motivate the others but there are a few positives, and we have a new coaching staff, and we will work together and look to improve.”
Raina was pleased to be leaving Bangladesh with a series win, and said: “Very happy with the side, especially Stuart Binny, who bowled really well alongside Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav. When we came here for Asia Cup, Taskin used to bowl to us in the nets, so really happy to see him do well. We played good cricket, especially when you know World Cup is coming up, a lot of youngsters showed their character.”
Binny was named Man of the Series, and said: “I must thank my team and Suresh for giving me this opportunity, and I took it. [The] Wicket wasn’t too good to bat on, but we came here as a young side and proved ourselves. I wanted us to get around 140 on the board so we could compete.”