Dhoni powers India to 5-wkt win over Bangladesh

Mahendra Singh Dhoni defied cramps to hit an unbeaten 93 as India recovered from a mid-innings slump to post a hard-fought five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the truncated first cricket one-dayer here today.

Chasing a victory target of 251 in 47 overs, India were in a spot of bother at 144 for five before Dhoni and Dinesh Kaarthick (58 not out) pulled the team out of the pits with an unfinished 109-run partnership and gave the side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Befittingly, Dhoni hit the winning stroke off Syed Rasel to see the side reach 253 for five and win the match with one over to spare in a thrilling contest, which again underlined Bangladesh's growing stature as a competitive one day team.

Though Indian skipper Rahul Dravid insists it is not a revenge mission, the win did avenge the side's humiliating defeat against the minnows in the World Cup.

Bangladesh, the surprise package in the recent World Cup, very nearly raised hopes of another upset win by first recording a competitive 250 for seven and then removing the top half of the Indian batting quite cheaply.

Electing to bat after the start was delayed by 45 minutes due to drizzle, the hosts were well-served by a 117-ball 80 by opener Javed Omar and a 68-ball 50 by Saqibul Hasan. The young Tamim Iqbal provided a flourishing start with a quickfire 45.

The two teams will play the second one-dayer at the same venue on Saturday. (PTI)