Asia Cup 2018, Super 4, Match 1- India vs Bangladesh: Was Relieved to Play an ODI After 15 Months - Ravindra Jadeja

It was yet another reliable performance by India, as they thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets and with 82 deliveries to spare in Asia Cup 2018 in Dubai. It was a dominating bowling performance by comeback man, Ravindra Jadeja, as he bagged four crucial wickets to stem the run flow of Bangladesh.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah also bowled brilliantly bagging three wickets each, as Bangladesh got restricted to 173 in the first innings. Despite a good partnership between Mashrafe Mortaza and Mehidy Hasan, Bangladesh fell way short of the 200-run mark eventually.

However, India was never in any problem and chased the total down with utmost ease. Rohit Sharma struck a brilliant knock of unbeaten 83, as India chased the target down with 82 balls to spare.

After batting first, Bangladesh only mustered a score of 173 runs. All of the Indian bowlers were quite magnificent. Comeback man, Ravindra Jadeja made a sensational return bagging four wickets for just 29 runs. It and was a great effort and he would have definitely given a strong message to the selectors that he must remain in the scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup.

Ravindra Jadeja was quite spectacular for India

The Bangladesh batsmen were never able to get going and lost wickets on a consistent basis. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah bagged the wickets of the openers. Mahmudullah batted well towards the later stages of the innings.

India, on the other hand, was never in any discomfort what so ever. Right from the start, India batted magnificently. Openers Rohit Sharma began brilliantly and struck some beautiful shots in the process. Dhawan played some exquisite shots through the cover region and looked in complete control of proceedings. He kept piling on the runs and shared a 61-run stand for the first wicket.

However, the dismissal of Dhawan didn’t stop Rohit, as he kept scoring runs briskly. He looked to build the innings and stay at the crease until the end. He did exactly that in the company of former Indian skipper MS Dhoni after the dismissal of Ambati Rayudu. Dhoni looked in good touch and struck some fine shots during his knock of 33 off 37 deliveries. Eventually, he got dismissed in an attempt to finish the match with a six. Later, Karthik and Sharma helped win the game by seven wickets.

Now here is what Man of the Match Ravindra Jadeja said at the post-match presentation,

“Finally, I am playing after 15 months in an ODI. I always wanted to make a mark when I got the chance. Finally, I got a chance today and I am very happy. Kuldeep and Chahal were also bowling well and luckily I was getting wickets at the other end. That’s how bowling works. I try to prove and perform in every format. I will try to play my role with bat too if the opportunity comes against Pakistan.”