Mustafizur Rehman's Rise: The Indian Connection

It has been a bittersweet last few days for Ranadeb Bose. The former Bengal pacer, veteran of 91 first-class games, is delighted at the way his former ward Mustafizur Rehman is performing on the international stage. However, the fact that these good performances have come against his own country India has left Ranadeb a tad bit disappointed. (India in Bangladesh: Full Coverage)

Ranadeb, who almost broke into the Indian playing XI during the tour of England in 2007, spent two years in Bangladesh, coaching young fast bowlers at the National Cricket Academy. It was here that he first came across a young, 17-year-old, Mustafizur Rehman. (India Series Win Our Biggest Achievement: Mortaza)

Surprisingly, the man who currently has the entire  Indian batting line-up dancing to his tunes, did not leave a great first impression on his coach.    

"When I first saw him, he was a very thin boy from a small village. The first thing that came to mind was that he is malnourished, probably because he came from a humble background. I thought he wasn't even strong enough to play in the Bangladesh under-19 team", recalls Bose. (Sunil Gavaskar Hails Bangladesh, Says 'Bachchas Have Grown Up)

But two months later, Ranadeb was forced to change his mind, "He was very hard working and dedicated to his craft. Whatever was told to him, he would implement in the nets. I was instantly impressed."

After a dream debut, which has seen him take 11 wickets in his first two ODIs, Mustafizur's slower ball is being talked about in cricket circles around the world; even Indian skipper MS Dhoni couldn't help but acknowledge its effectiveness. (Rise of Bangla Tigers Spells Doom for India, Pakistan)

Analysing the most lethal weapon in Mustafizur's armoury, Ranadeb told NDTV, "What makes his slower one more lethal is the fact that he bowls both the faster and the slower one with the same length. He is very very accurate in bowling his slower delivery, which is very important in sub-continental conditions"

Critics though are quick to point out that these are early days for Mustafizur and that the 19-year-old would soon be sorted out by batsmen around the world.

The left-arm seamer's lack of pace is also cited as a reason why he may not be the best bet in the long run.

Ranadeb has a contrary view on that, "I think he has a bright future. The more international cricket he plays the stronger he is going to get, because he is with the national team and that will give him access to the best coaches and physios to further hone his skills and body"

Twenty-nine years into ODI cricket and the Tigers were seldom feared by the opposition. But things have changed drastically in the last 12 months or so; Mustafizur and Co are bringing Bangladesh up to 'speed' with the top one-day sides in the world.