Indian media laud Tigers

As India crashed to a 79-run defeat against Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series, the Indian media reacted by praising the Tigers while analysing the lacklustre performance from the Indian batsmen and bowlers.

The Indian print media focused mostly on the brilliance of the Tigers' batting and bowling -- particularly of Mustafizur Rahman's debut five-for.

The Hindustan Times wrote in their lead story 'Bangladesh take World Cup Revenge', about the manner in which 'the Indian bowlers were taken to task by the fantastic opening batting from Bangladesh.'

They did not save too many words for the performance of Mustafizur, instead put their bowlers to the sword saying, 'Ravindra Jadeja was good in patches, while Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was decent, but Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma were especially taken apart by the Bangladeshis.'

Mustafizur Rahman appeals during the first game of the 3-match ODI series against India at Mirpur. Photo: STAR

'Rahman concert rocks India' was the headline of the New Indian Express as they focused on the positives of Bangladesh cricket.

'Bangladesh outsmarted India in all departments of the game and exacted sweet revenge for their quarterfinal loss at the hands of the same opponents in the World Cup.'

When it came to Mustafizur, they wrote, 'Debutant Mustafizur Rahman turned out to be the star performer for Bangladesh with the ball, picking up a five-for in his first international match, though he was well supported by Taskin and Shakib.'

They also praised Bangladesh's relentless attacking approach with the bat and derided Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma for a 'shaky start made just 17 runs off the first four overs.'

The Indian Express perhaps summed it up best: 'There are a few grudges Bangladesh have been nursing since the World Cup.

The 'mauka mauka' ad campaign was considered demeaning, there was the 'no-ball gate' in the quarterfinals and then Mustafa Kamal, President of the ICC, resigned dramatically in the aftermath.'

'Bangladeshis are a fiercely proud people. They do not forget the slightest of slights committed against them, intentionally or otherwise.

Between then and now, the no-ball has become their 'Hand-of-God' incident,' it continued.

'Protishodh, the Bangla word for revenge, had been lurking on the lips of the fans.'