Shikhar Dhawan reveals Team India’s game plan for the must-win second ODI against Bangladesh

Team India will be playing a do-or-die contest when they head into Sher-e-Bangla stadium for the second One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on Wednesday, December 07. The Men in Blue faced a defeat in the opening game at the same venue and are 0-1 behind in the three-match leg, thus making the second ODI a crucial contest to stay alive in the series.

Ahead of the must-win contest, veteran India opener Shikhar Dhawan has revealed the team’s game plan for the high-quality spin attack of the Tigers. Notably, Bangladesh spinners did a great job in restricting the tourists to a below-par score of 186 in the first ODI. Former captain Shakib Al Hasan and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled exceptionally well in puzzling Indian batters. Shakib, in particular, was the chief architect behind India’s batting failure as the senior tweaker picked up a five-wicket haul while conceding only 36 runs in his quota of 10 overs, including a couple of maidens.

Speaking about the same, Dhawan said the batters are working on their sweep shot and reverse hit as part of their preparation, which will also come in handy in the ODI World Cup at home later this year.

“It’s good to practice more. These shots will come in handy in these conditions. You will see our batters playing these shots tomorrow. Even the World Cup is in India next year, where spinners will make an impact, and these shots will be helpful. I always enjoy playing them. It’s good to practice more in these conditions,” Dhawan said in the pre-match presser.

Bangladesh were 136/9 in 39.3 overs in their small chase of 187, but Mehidy and Mustafizur Rahman formed an unbroken 51-run stand for the last wicket to take their side over the finish line. Regarding the result, Dhawan said that these kinds of things are part and parcel of games before lavishing praise on the hosts.

“This is not the first time we have lost the first game in a series. This is quite normal, we know how to bounce back from these situations. We’re very, very confident. It doesn’t happen very often, they played really well. Of course, Bangladesh are playing really good cricket,” added Dhawan.