In a dominant display, India outclassed Bangladesh by 50 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, June 22.
India thrash Bangladesh to inch closer to World Cup semis
This victory significantly diminishes Bangladesh's chances of reaching the semifinals, marking India's most comprehensive performance of the tournament so far. Batting first India posted a big total of 196/5, thanks to Hardik Pandya's blistering fifty which was coupled with key contributions in the middle from Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube. Notably, it was the highest total ever recorded in Antigua. In reply, Bangladesh could only manage to notch 146/8 on the board to suffer second consecutive defeat in the Super 8s. While Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto offered some resistance with a 40-run knock, the rest of the batting lineup failed to fire. India's bowlers, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the way with three wickets, kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
India's clinical bowling display
Bangladesh's chase faltered from the very beginning, restricted to a mere 146 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav exploited the pitch's spin and bounce, claiming the best bowling figures for India (3 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs). Jasprit Bumrah was equally impressive, taking 2 wickets for 13 runs in his 4-over spell. The Indian bowlers displayed a level of skill far exceeding the Bangladeshi batsmen's capabilities. Aside from a few defiant shots by Najmul Shanto and Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh never truly threatened to chase down the daunting target.
Costly Toss Decision
Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Shanto, made a critical error at the toss, opting to field first despite the day-time conditions. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle had earlier predicted the pitch would slow down considerably as the sun beat down. Shanto's decision to bowl first, likely assuming the wicket would remain consistent throughout the match, proved to be a massive blunder. Kuldeep Yadav exploited the changing pitch effectively after the powerplay, turning the tide in India's favor. His two impressive performances in as many matches have cemented his place in the Indian lineup with a total of 5 wickets.
Earlier, India posted a competitive total of 196 for 5 wickets against Bangladesh, thanks in part to a late flourish from Shivam Dube and an unbeaten fifty from Hardik Pandya. Virat Kohli, who had been struggling for runs recently, finally found some form, scoring 37 runs off 28 balls. He started aggressively alongside skipper Rohit Sharma (23 off 11), who looked comfortable at the crease after Bangladesh opted to bowl first.
Bangladesh's decision to open with spin was an interesting tactic, but both Kohli and Sharma started well against the slow bowlers. However, Rohit's innings was cut short when he mistimed a shot off Shakib Al Hasan.
Kohli continued to attack, even launching a massive 94-meter six off Mustafizur Rahman. But his stay at the crease was ended by a slower ball from Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the 9th over. The same bowler struck again two balls later, dismissing Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, leaving India in a precarious position at 83 for 3 after 10 overs.
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Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive batting, injected some momentum back into the Indian innings. He scored 36 runs off 24 balls, including boundaries and a six, before being dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep for the second consecutive innings.
The responsibility then fell on Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya to take India to a strong total. Dube, who had been slow off the blocks initially, played a valuable cameo of 34 runs, including three sixes in the later overs.
Hardik Pandya, however, provided the final push with a blistering knock of 50 runs off just 27 balls. He finished the innings unbeaten, his innings containing four boundaries and three sixes. The partnership between Dube and Pandya added a crucial 53 runs and propelled India towards a strong total of 196.
India will next face Australia June 24 while Bangladesh will take on June 25.
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