Dhoni guides India home

/ Editor / 10 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

India exacted a measure of revenge over Bangladesh after an unbeaten 93 from Mahendra Dhoni clinched victory over the Tigers by five wickets in Dhaka.

Chasing 251 for victory, the visitors slipped to 144-5 but the wicket-keeper batsman kept his nerve to guide his side home with six balls to spare.

Confidence was high in the Bangladesh camp following their shock World Cup victory over India in the Caribbean and they compiled a challenging total of 250-7 in 47 overs, thanks to opener Javed Omar, who hit 80 from 117 deliveries and Saqibul Hasan, who made 50 from just 68 balls.

Dinesh Mongia was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3-49 from his 10 overs.
The tourists' reply got off to a brisk start with Gautam Gambhir (21) and Virender Sehwag (30) both scoring at more than a run a ball.

But following Gambhir's dismissal with the score on 35, India lost regular wickets and at 144-5 it looked as though the Test minnows might pull off another famous victory over the sub-continent giants.

However, Dhoni, batting with a runner after injuring a thigh muscle, received excellent support down the order from Dinesh Karthik (58no) and the pair saw Rahul Dravid's side home with an unbroken stand of 109.

The teams reconvene for another match in Dhaka on Saturday, the second of a scheduled three-match series for which India are now strong favourites to clinch.

Ravi Shastri's side are 1.03 to claim another win from the remaining matches, while Bangladesh are available at 8 in Betfair's Series Winner's market.

Check Betfair for Match Odds markets for the second and third ODIs later this week.