In a thrilling encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, India set a formidable 197-run target for Bangladesh in their second Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 50 off 27 balls, capped by a four off the last ball of the innings, played a crucial role in bolstering India’s total.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, India got off to an aggressive start with openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli leading the charge. Rohit, the Indian skipper, wasted no time, smashing a quickfire 23 off just 11 balls before falling to a delivery from Bangladesh’s experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Despite this early setback, India managed to score 53 runs in the powerplay, their best powerplay performance in this tournament.
However, Bangladesh, known for their resilient cricket, pulled things back effectively through Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Sakib struck twice in quick succession, removing the in-form Virat Kohli for 37 and Suryakumar Yadav for 6 within three deliveries. These crucial breakthroughs left India reeling and put the brakes on their scoring rate.
Amid the chaos, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant played a pivotal role, stabilizing the innings with a brisk 36 off 24 balls. His knock, featuring four boundaries and two sixes, was instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking. Pant’s aggressive yet controlled batting provided a much-needed boost to the Indian innings during a critical phase.
Following Pant’s departure, all-rounders Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya took charge. The duo formed a vital 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket, steering India towards a competitive total. Dube, known for his powerful hitting, contributed 34 runs off 24 balls, including three towering sixes. His aggressive approach complemented Pandya’s calculated aggression perfectly.
The highlight of the innings was undoubtedly Hardik Pandya’s explosive batting towards the end. Pandya, who remained unbeaten on 50 off 27 balls, showcased his ability to handle pressure and finish the innings on a high note. His innings was studded with boundaries and smart running between the wickets. The crowning moment came when Pandya struck a four off the final ball of the innings, propelling India to a challenging total of 196/6.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had expressed hopes of restricting India to a total between 150-160 runs. However, despite their best efforts, the Tigers found it challenging to contain the aggressive Indian batting lineup. Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, with his crucial strikes and tight bowling spells. Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan also put in commendable efforts, but the collective batting strength of India proved to be too formidable.
Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first stemmed from a strategic understanding of the conditions, with Shanto citing the wind factor and familiarity with the pitch. On the other hand, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma mentioned that he would have chosen to bat regardless of the toss, reflecting confidence in his team’s batting depth and strategy.
The match saw both teams fielding strong lineups. India went with an unchanged XI from their previous match, maintaining continuity and confidence in their winning combination. Bangladesh, meanwhile, made a tactical change by including Mustafizur Rahman in place of Taskin Ahmed.
Historically, India has dominated the T20I encounters against Bangladesh, winning 12 out of the 13 matches played between the two sides. This strong record added an additional layer of psychological advantage for India going into the match.
As India set a daunting 197-run target, the stage was set for an exciting chase by Bangladesh. The men in blue, buoyed by their aggressive batting and strategic gameplay, aimed to consolidate their position in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. The match not only highlighted individual brilliance, particularly from Hardik Pandya, but also showcased the collective strength and resilience of the Indian team.
