Stuart Binny has not had the greatest of starts to international cricket, opportunities and just that lack a little bit of luck not quite swinging his way; but on Tuesday night in Mirpur, Binny made up for all of those early disappointments in one fell swoop, claiming six wickets for just four runs – the best ever ODI bowling figures by an Indian – to floor Bangladesh, who looked in their way to a victory over India after bundling the visitors for a score just above 100.
Choosing to bowl first on a green wicket, which seamed and swung all over the place, Bangladesh ran India over for just 105, in another rain-curtailed innings.
Young fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was the star of the show for Bangladesh, creating all sorts of chaos in the India batting lineup, picking up five wickets for just 28 runs in eight overs, after the match had been cut short to 41 overs apiece due to some early rain.
In reply, Bangladesh, who like India, never really look comfortable under the moving ball, lost their openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque with just 13 runs on the board with Mohit Sharma (8-2-22-4) doing the damage.
However, Mithun Ali (26, 39b, 5x4) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim seemed to have brought in a semblance of control back for Bangladesh with a 31-run partnership.
Mushfiqur's wicket, caught behind off Binny, though, started the wicket-train as Bangladesh crumbled quicker than a cookie from 44 for two in 11.3 overs to an amazing 58 all out in 17.3 overs.
Binny was the wrecker-in-chief, thoroughly enjoying bowling on the wicket -- as the ball moved both ways, the batsmen only walked one way, right back to the pavilion.
The incredible figures of 4.4-2-4-6 makes Binny the new holder of India's best ever bowling figures, beating the legend Anil Kumble's six for 12 picked up way back in 1991 against the West Indies in Kolkata.
"The plan was to come out hard, the wicket was doing a bit when we batted," an elated Binny told Star Sports. "We just wanted to keep the pressure on them, not give them bad balls. My plan was just to keep it simple and it worked.
"We went into the lunch break and spoke about good areas and it just showed that it works. I would love to bowl on this wicket every day."
Mohit Sharma's contribution cannot be overlooked as well, with the swing bowler picking up crucial wickets to help India wrap up the three-match series 2-0, after their win in the first ODI.
"Obviously it was a good match," Mohit said. "It's a good wicket to bowl on, we don't have to do special things, just keep things easy and it worked.
"I tried a bit of variations as well as we had to bowl them out, which is why I tried a few things. Also [skipper Suresh] Raina bhai made some amazing field changes to help us out well."
