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Dambulla: Sehwag's four wicket haul helped India bowl out Bangladesh for a paltry 167 following which Gambhir hit a gritty 82 to guide India to a comfortable win, while getting a bonus point in the process.
After losing the toss, they first restricted Bangladesh to 167, courtesy a 4-wicket spell from Sehwag who got his best bowling figures today.
To chasing 168 it down, they lost Sehwag early and had minor hiccups in the middle, but a classy 82 from Gambhir along with a calm 38 from Dhoni saw India through as the pair shared a match-winning stand of 78 for the fourth wicket. One worrying factor for India would be that apart from Gambhir no one spent the time in the middle.
The Bangladeshi bowling never looked threatening as they were already down and out after being bowled out for 167 but still, Mortaza (2-37) and Shakib (2-49) bowled their hearts out and picked up 2 wickets each.
Sehwag and Shakib get the $25 for hitting the board outside the boundary, Dhoni and Tamim Iqbal get the maximum sixes award for hitting 1 six each, Dhoni and Gambhir get the award for the best partnership of the match - 78, Tamim Iqbal gets the award for the most stylish performer of the match - 22 runs with the bat and Virender Sehwag (4-6) gets the solid performer as well as the best performance award - 4 wickets with the ball and a catch.
A disappointed losing captain Shakib Al Hasan says that the middle order failed to apply themselves and they could have reached 240. He praises the fast bowlers for trying to defend 167 and says that the fast bowlers bowled well after a long time. Asked about their next game, Shakib says that there would be a practice session tomorrow and they would gear up for their next game.
Victorious skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is pleased with the victory and says that apart from a few loose deliveries, the bowlers bowled well. Feels it was good to see the seniors in action. Admits that batting under the lights is 200 per cent difficult in Dambulla. Praises Gambhir for his classy knock. Asked about the importance of the bonus point, he says that cricket is a big game in India and they need to perform well in every game especially after their low-show in Zimbabwe.
Gautam Gambhir gets the man-of-the-match for his 82 in 101 balls with the bat. He is relieved that he finally scored some runs after his dismal show in the World T20. Asked about the pitch, he says that it was not doing much and he just played each ball on its merit. About the lights at Dambulla, Gambhir admits that it is difficult to play at this venue under lights and hopes to continue his good form into further games.
Bangladesh started off the game in a terrific fashion but could not quite maintain the momentum. India got a good practice from this match but the top order as well the fast bowling still looks a bit rusty and would need to work it out.
The next match of the series will be played between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at this same venue on Friday and don Saturday big match of the Asia Cup India take on Pakistan.
Brief scores
Bangladesh 167 (Sehwag 4-6, Nehra 2-28)
India 168 for 4 (Gambhir 82, Mortaza 2-37, Shakib 2-49)
Result India won by six wickets
Points India 5, Bangladesh 0
MOM Gautam Gambhir (India)
