India vs Bangladesh: Ashwin Guides Win After Top-Order Fails
India edged out Bangladesh by a narrow margin of five runs in a nail-biting encounter during the third and final ODI of the series in Chattogram. The victory sealed a 2-1 series win for India, but not without a considerable dose of drama and a heroic performance from veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
The match was a rollercoaster ride from the very beginning. India, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, suffered a dismal start, losing their top three wickets within the first 10 overs. The pressure mounted on the middle order, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul failing to deliver.
However, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a crucial 113-run partnership. The duo batted with composure and ensured India reached a respectable total of 264.
In response, Bangladesh got off to a strong start, with their openers putting up a solid opening stand. However, the Indian bowlers fought back brilliantly, with Ashwin playing a pivotal role in dismantling the Bangladeshi batting order.
Ashwin claimed a sensational 5-wicket haul for just 35 runs, including the prized scalps of both openers - Liton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. His ability to extract bounce and turn on a flat pitch proved too much for the Bangladeshi batsmen.
The match went down to the wire, with Bangladesh needing 21 runs off the final 3 overs. A superb catch by Washington Sundar to dismiss Mehidy Hasan Miraz gave India a crucial breakthrough. Ultimately, Bangladesh fell short of the target by 5 runs, handing India a hard-fought victory.
Ashwin's brilliance was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. He showcased his immense experience and skill, single-handedly turning the tide in India's favour. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award, making him a fitting hero for India's series triumph.
The win was a testament to India's resilience and fighting spirit. The team showed great character to bounce back from a shaky start and claim a victory that will be remembered for the incredible bowling performance of Ravichandran Ashwin.
