Tigers have it in themselves

All the pre-series talks centred around the vaunted Indian batting line-up, but they failed to draw the first blood. Still only after a single defeat, one certainly cannot write them off. But Bangladesh's batting also proved in the first game that they had got the talent as well as the courage to put the opponents' bowling to the sword.

The pressure is now on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side when they take on the Tigers today in the second ODI at Mirpur and they will definitely try to come down hard on the home side to restore their pride. Everyone knows what Dhoni's India can do, but the fact remains that this new-look Bangladesh team believes in a different mantra that can spring more surprises to the visitors.

While a four-man Bangladesh pace attack terrorised the formidable Indian batting, skipper Dhoni had to hide his pacers. It would not be a surprise if Dhoni also embraces the same fate in the second match. There were talks about India's ploy to continue with short of length delivery as they did in the last World Cup but that strategy backfired. An aggressive Tamim Iqbal, new batting sensation Soumya Sarker, silent killer Mushfiqur Rahim, trusted Shakib Al Hasan, destructive Sabbir Rahman and cool Nasir Hossain have all got the ability to turn the tables on India, even if the other newcomer Litton Das does not spring a surprise of his own.

This Bangladesh bowling can repeat its extraordinary demonstration, but the batting still needs to do better, since the fact  that 300-plus runs is not a challenge for the Indian batting line-up. Bangladesh's bowling might have done a wonderful job to post a facile win in the first game, but without doubt they fell short of runs on the board, especially after the way Tamim and Soumya set the tone. Many felt that it could have been a much better total had the Bangladesh top order showed some respect to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

So the question whether there was any special plan for the lanky spinner ahead of the second match. But when coach Chandika Hathurusingha smilingly said, "watch the ball, hit the ball." It only reflected the mentality and mood of the home team.  Yes, a plan could be made for a particular player, but this team doesn't believe in any fear factor. They are ready to show respect to good balls if needed, but not ready to bog down against anybody.

It seemed that Bangladesh knew what challenge waited from the wounded Indians and they were ready for that. A big test awaits first match hero Mustafizur Rahman, but then again Chandika has the same mantra for the young pacer which is 'express yourself and play fearless cricket'.

"It's going to be a challenge for him [Mustafizur] because people have gotten to know him and will respect him a little more. But again, he has to go and execute well. But we expect the Indians to go hard at him," said Chandika.

A clear statement came from the Sri Lankan while he was speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday at Mirpur: "The way we are playing is a bit different."

During his encounter with the media, confidence oozed from his voice though he emphasized on the improvement on his side. "I won't say we are favourites, but we are confident about the series," he responded to a question about whether his side is now favorites in the second game after 79-run victory.

Chandika started his journey with the Tigers playing a second-string Indian side but he was happy to see a full-strength India after one year. "The best example is that India sent their strongest team. It speaks for itself where we are at this stage," said a confident Tigers coach.

One more win will put another feather on his successful cap, but most importantly the biggest challenge that lies is to ensure his charges continue with their exciting brand of cricket.