Asia Cup 2018: Four reasons behind Bangladesh's loss to India

Bangladesh lost their first Super Four encounter of the Asia Cup against India. The Tigers outplayed by the defending champions. Bangladesh were poor both in bowling and batting against India.

On the other hand, India showed a firm determination to win the game. They have bowled according to plans, and they batted like champions. Rohit Sharma and co did not give any chance to the Tigers to roar. Bangladesh outshot Sri Lanka on the Asia Cup opener. But, they lost the momentum against Afghanistan as they defeated by them by 136 runs.

After that match concluded, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that they bounce back against India. But, they could not. We tried to find out some reasons behind Bangladesh's loss in this article.

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#4 Losing early wickets

Liton Das failed to perform at the top once again

Bangladesh lost a couple of wickets in the first over against Sri Lanka. Their opener failed to reach two-digit against Afghanistan. And, they maintained the downfall against India too when they lost early wickets once again.

Liton Das is the batsman who got dismissed as first against India before reaching double-digits. Nazmul Hossain Shanto, the replacement of Tamim Iqbal followed him as he also missed double-digits and thus, Bangladesh lost their openers before adding 20 runs on the board.

Bangladesh cost for these early wickets against India. Their middle order should have responded according to the team's demand. But, the failed and Bangladesh lost the to do something memorable against India.

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#3 Middle order failed to function correctly

Shakib and Mushfiqur should have done better while their openers failed to add some peace on the board

Mushifqur Rahim was left out against Afghanistan as he was suffering from an injury on his rib. The right-handed batsman backed to the playing eleven of the Tigers against India. But, he was unable to make his mark.

Shakib and Mushfiqur should have done better while their openers failed to add some peace on the board. They did it on many occasions previously. But, this time around they were ordinary like their openers.

Because of the exclusion of Tamim Iqbal by an injury, Bangladesh middle order has a lot of works to do. But, they are failing harrowingly on a regular basis.

#2 Unnecessary intention to play big shots

Mushfiqur went to play a reverse sweep and saw himself dismissed

Bangladesh lost at least three wickets for their unnecessary intention to play big shots. They went to play big shots when they needed only rotating the strike.

The newcomer, Nazmul Hossain Shanto to went to strike Jasprit Bumrah out of the park when a single should have been enough for him.

The experienced guy Shakib Al Hasan made the same mistake. He went to sweep Ravindra Jadeja after hitting two fours in a row.

MS Dhoni read the mind of Shakib correctly as he advised Rohit Sharma to place a fielder at the square leg.

Rohit did so, and Shakib played that sweep to get caught. Mushfiqur went for a reverse sweep and got dismissed.

These three of Bangladeshi batsmen threw their wickets away that made them losing side.

#1 The bowlers lacked proper planning

Shakib Al Hasan appeals for an LBW during their Super Four fixture against India

Nowadays, a total of 173 runs is not enough even in T20Is. Bangladesh had this total to defend in the ODI and against a team like India. This equation might have made Bangladesh hopeless.

Bangladesh started off their bowling with captain Mashrafe Mortaza himself, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz from another end instead of using two pacers. Starting bowling with a spinner against India, can't be a good plan.

Mustafizur Rahman was left out against Afghanistan. He backed to playing eleven in this match but did not start bowling.

Mashrafe denied him to give the ball on the start of the innings. He might have done some damages to Indian batting line on the flat track. And, that could be a lifeline for Bangladesh to defend a sort total like this.

But, that did not happen. The nearly impossible dream of Bangladesh to defend 173 against India remains unfulfilled as they lost by seven wickets.