Bangladesh vs. India: Winners and Losers from ODI Series
Not even a 77-run defeat in the final match of the series against India could take the gloss off what's been an historic week for Bangladesh.
The home side won an ODI series against their illustrious neighbours for the first time and in the process secured their place in next year's ICC Champions Trophy.
Mashrafe Mortaza's side are playing an aggressive, attacking form of cricket and appear to have unearthed a gem in left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.
India's superstars flopped against a side who recognised and then took their big chance.
Read on to see who were the winners and losers from the three-match series.
Winner: Mustafizur Rahman
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Few bowlers have burst onto the international scene in quite such spectacular fashion as Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman.
The 19-year-old picked up 13 wickets during the three-match series, including five-wicket hauls in games one and two.
Every team seemingly needs a quality left-arm seamer these days. It appears that Bangladesh have found theirs.
Loser: Virat Kohli
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A total of just 49 runs from his three visits to the middle was a highly disappointing return for Virat Kohli.
Nothing summed up Kohli's series more than a free hit in the second match after Taskin Ahmed had overstepped. Instead of trying to smash his freebie to the fence, he tamely defended it to the fielder at point.
Brain freeze or not, that shot typified what has been a frustrating run for India's most talented batsman.
Winner: Shakib Al Hasan
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Shakib Al Hasan showed once again why he's one of the best all-rounders in the one-day game. Fifties in the first two matches went a long to way to helping the home side produce two stunning upsets.
Even in the third game when India's batsmen were on the charge, Shakib's tidy spin more than held its own. While the rest of the Bangladesh attack was being smashed around the park, the 28-year-old's nine overs went for just 33.
Shakib is one of the key reasons behind Bangladesh's recent renaissance.
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Loser: MS Dhoni
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MS Dhoni's place in the history books is secure after his World Cup-winning exploits. He's also now the holder of a much more unwanted record, namely the first India captain to lose a one-day series against Bangladesh.
The 33-year-old brushed off critics who suggested it may be time for the captain's armband to change hands.
Speaking in a press conference after the six-wicket defeat in the second ODI, Dhoni said (per The Hindu), “We have had tough times, but that’s what cricket is all about. You can’t win every series.”
An excellent 69 in the final ODI should quieten the critics. For now.
Winner: Mashrafe Mortaza
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Four wickets at an average of 41 and 21 runs at 10.50 aren't stats that suggest a career-defining series.
Mashrafe Mortaza has had just that though after steering his Bangladesh side to a maiden series win over the giants from next door.
Led by Mortaza, they're playing an exciting, aggressive and entertaining brand of cricket. After many false dawns, Bangladesh finally appear to be fulfilling their potential.
Loser: India's Bowling Attack
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With the honourable exception of Ravichandran Ashwin, the India attack was a major let down.
Ashwin was India's leading wicket taker with six scalps. The off-spinner's economy rate of 3.93 was by far the best of the regular bowlers too.
The rest of the attack had no answer when Bangladesh's batsmen stepped on the gas. They'll have to find a way to stem the runs when faced with batting lineups far more powerful than Bangladesh's improving top order.
Winner: Bangladesh Supporters
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Scheduling this series during the rainy season was always going to be a risk. Luckily, the weather gods smiled for the most part with only minor interruptions for rain. In return, the home crowds have been treated to some superb performances.
Yes, the supporters have been here before with Bangladesh flattering to deceive. There seems to be more steel about this side though.
Roared on by a highly partisan home crown, they'll be tough to beat on home turf. Expect more names to join Pakistan and India on the shocked-in-Bangladesh list.
Loser: Ajinkya Rahane
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He's become a mainstay of the India Test team, but Ajinkya Rahane's one-day future looks a little more insecure.
The 27-year-old was axed after scoring just nine from 25 balls in the series opener.
Skipper MS Dhoni told a press conference (per NDTV), "Whenever he has played for us, whether at Numbers 4 or 5, if the pitch is a little slow, he finds it a little difficult to rotate the strike, especially when he is starting his innings. It's not easy.”
Hardly a ringing endorsement.
Winner: Bangladesh Bowling Coach Heath Streak
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Of course performing in the middle is down to the bowlers themselves, but Bangladesh bowling coach Heath Streak deserves a big pat on the back.
Pace bowling has always been Bangladesh's Achilles' heel, but Streak is quietly putting together an international-class attack.
In addition to the consistent Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed, and the pacey, if erratic, Rubel Hossein, comes rookie Mustafizur Rahman.
The Zimbabwean told ESPN Cricinfo, “As a coach you have to be careful not to over-coach and just help guide them along.”
That gentle guidance seems to be working a treat at the moment.
Loser: Mohit Sharma
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Mohit Sharma's tour of Bangladesh was a forgettable one. His 4.4 overs in the first ODI cost an eye-watering 53 runs.
The Bangladesh batsmen feasted on anything even slightly wayward and helped themselves to 10 boundaries during Mohit's disappointing cameo.
Understandably, he wasn't seen again for the final two matches.
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