They say revenge is a dish best served cold. That's exactly what happened in Mirpur on Thursday. Bangladesh took revenge of their World Cup quarter-final ouster by pushing India to a stunning 79-run loss in first of the three-match one-day international series on Thursday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here.
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan slammed fifties as Bangladesh racked up 307 - their highest ever ODI total against India and then debutant Mustafizur Rahman ran through the Indian batting order like a cutter and claimed a five wicket-haul to propel the hosts to a fascinating win over the No. 2 ranked ODI side, much to the joy of 1.5 million people. Bangladesh now lead the 3-match series 1-0 with the second and third games scheduled for June 21 and 24.
Also See: Full Scorecard
It was the first meeting in ODIs between the two sub-continental teams since their controversy-marred World Cup quarter-final in Melbourne, which India won by 109 runs.
Bangladesh were left fuming at what they reckoned was unfair umpiring, prompting Mustafa Kamal to resign as the president of the International Cricket Council alleging Indian bias.
Also See: Images from the match
With this win, the home team kept their impressive run in one-day cricket intact following a 3-0 series whitewash against Pakistan at home in April. The win against India has also boosted the home team's chances of qualifying for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in 2017.
Chasing a strong target of 308, India never looked settled in the game apart from a 95-run opening stand by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
Also See: Debutant Mustafizur takes up 5 wickets
Bangladesh pacers made took full advantage of the conditions by jolting India with regular blows following the dismissal of Dhawan on 30 in the 16th over with 19-year-old Mustafizur taking a 5 for 50.
Dhawan's wicket triggered a batting collapse as the Indians lost Kohli (1), Rohit (63), Rahane (9) and Dhoni (5) in a short span of time. Rohit was top scorer for India with a 68-ball 63.
Also See: Kohli keeps wickets, gives Dhoni a break
Limited overs specialist Suresh Raina showed some resistance with run-a-ball 40 and stitched a 60-run stand with allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 32 off 42 balls. However, Mustafizur dismissed Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin (0) off consecutive deliveries to hit the final nail on India's coffin.
The young pacer then again came back in his next over to complete his match-winning haul as Jadeja was undone by a slower delivery and holed up to Soumya at long-on. Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets apiece while Mortaza returned home with one wicket.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat first in overcast conditions, handing debuts to Litton Das and left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Openers Tamim and Soumya stunned India with an array of powerful strokes after India's dismal new ball show in Mirpur.
Fresh from his career-best 127 against Pakistan in his previous ODI, Soumya was more attacking than Tamim and kept the Indian bowlers at bay.
Soumya's 54 came off just 40 that included eight fours and a six. However, his stay was cut short by Suresh Raina who ran him out after a mix-up with Tamim.
Tamim was the highest scorer with 60, after his fourth consecutive half century, while Soumya smashed a fluent 54. They added 102 for the opening partnership that laid a solid platform for the middle-order.
Veteran allrounder Shakib who hit 52, kept the rhythm provided by the openers, paving the way for the hosts to breach the 300-run barrier for the first time against India.
Sabbir Rahman with 41 was the other notable scorer.
However, just like in the one-off Test match, rain arrived and interrupted the proceedings in Mirpur with Bangladesh on 119 in 15.4 overs. The near one-hour delay swung the momentum in India's favour with the visitors hitting back hard after the game resumed as they claimed three wickets, including Tamim's, inside 23 overs to leave Bangladesh reeling at 146 for 4.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni introduced Ashwin into his second spell and the decision reaped benefits soon after. Tamim suffered a lapse in concentration following the break and lofted Ashwin straight down to Rohit Sharma at long-off. Tamim hit seven fours and one six in his 62 ball-60.
Ashwin trapped debutant Litton Das (8) in front before Mushfiqur Rahim (14) holed out to Sharma at long-on.
However, the hosts staged a remarkable comeback with Shakib and Sabbir Rahman stitching an 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket before India again ran through their middle-order by taking wickets at regular interval. Shakib hit his 29th ODI fifty and sixth against India to set his team for a strong total before perishing in the 44th over.
Mortaza too hit consecutive boundaries off Mohit Sharma in the last over to help the side get past 300.
Offspinner Ashwin returned with figures of 3 for 51 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 2 for 37 and Umesh Yadav chipped in with 2 for 58.
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