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Home > Cricket > India's tour of Bangladesh 2004 > PTI > Report


Team was not complacent: Ganguly

December 26, 2004 22:28 IST

Springing to the defence of his batsmen, captain Sourav Ganguly said the 15-run shock defeat to Bangladesh was not a result of complacency although he would now have to re think on the team combination for the decider on Monday.

Bangladesh, who made 229 for nine in 50 overs in the second one-dayer played under lights, recorded their first-ever win over India after the visiting batsmen threw away their wickets to be bowled out for 214 with more than two overs to spare.

"There are a lot of youngsters in the side who are keen to play well and keep their place in the side. So there was no complacency," Ganguly said after the match.

"We lost wickets early on and kept losing them. Bangladesh also play an outstanding game and fielded brilliantly under pressure."

With the three-match series level at 1-1, Ganguly said India would have to have a rethink on the composition of the team for tomorrow's decider.

"We have to play better tomorrow. Better that what we did in the first two matches. We have to think about our team composition."

Home captain Habibul Bashar gave credit to his side for the "big win" and said that it was fielding which made all the difference in the end.

"It was not a big score so we knew that if we had to win we would have to field well. I am happy that we fielded quite well," Bashar said.

"I am also happy with the performance of the lower order batsmen. They chipped in valuable runs and also when their turn came for bowling, they did very well."

Mashrafe Mortaza, who was declared man of the match for his all-round performance, said he tried to maintain a good line and length in a bid to tie down the Indian batsmen.

"I tried to bowl straight, with a good line and length. I am happy to do well in the first match since coming from injury," he said.

Mortaza made 31 with the bat before taking two wickets including that of opener Virender Sehwag who was castled for zero in the third ball of the Indian innings.

He also took two catches including that of Ganguly to play an important role in the home side's first ever win over India.


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India's tour of Bangladesh: The Complete Coverage






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