Dhoni criticises India batsmen after ODI series defeat to Bangladesh

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has put the blame at the feet of the batsmen for back-to-back losses against Bangladesh that led to a first-ever series surrender to the Tigers.

Chasing 308 in the first ODI last Thursday, the tourists folded up for 228. They were skittled out for 200 on Sunday in the second at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
 
Bangladesh took a facile six-wicket win with nine overs to spare in rain-curtailed match to seal the series.
 
“This is our first series loss against Bangladesh and it is very disappointing,” Dhoni said at the post-match briefing.
 
“In both the matches we were completely outplayed. It was a good wicket to bat on but we did not put enough runs on the board because of lack of partnerships.”
 
Teenage pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman bamboozled India’s batsmen with his off-cutters and slower deliveries returning 6 for 43 that gave him 11 wickets in his first two ODIs, a world record.
 
Nasir Hossain, too, caused much problem for them with his offspin. He bagged crucial wickets of Virat Kohli (23) and Shikhar Dhawan (53) as India started losing wickets quickly.
 
“On such a wicket it is important to take calculated risks and play some big shots.
 
“But if you keep losing wickets in pairs, it becomes very difficult to do that. That’s what happened today,” India’s World Cup-winning captain said.
 
“Yes, it is disappointing. But it is not the end of the world."
 
Bangladesh have won five ODIs against India in 31 games. Dhoni has played in all the matches they lost.