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T20 World Cup: India conquers its second Asian neighbor to keep its Super 8 slate clean
India will now play its third and last Super 8 game against Australia on June.24.
A disciplined bowling effort from India restricted Bangladesh to 67/2 at the halfway mark of the chase. / X/@T20WorldCup
India continued its winning march in the T20 World Cup by defeating its second successive continental rival on June.22. After a convincing win over Afghanistan in the Super 8 opener, India set aside the challenge of its second South Asian rival, Bangladesh, to win by 50 runs to move a step closer to a semi-final berth.
India will now play its third and last Super 8 game against Australia on June.24.
The India-Bangladesh tie may not be as severe and exciting as the India-Pakistan game. Still, the two cricket-playing nations, get massive public response as the battle between ball and bat takes to new heights, producing some scintillating moments. India has played the game for a much longer period than its rivals. This factor alone makes it a pre-match favorite.
Indian win was once again reflected a total team effort as almost all batters put up an impressive show before the spinners – Kuldeep Yadav (3 for 19) – besides the ever-reliable pacers –Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 13) and Arshdeep Singh (two for 30) – did their job admirably well.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh decided to field first. For India, skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli put up the best opening wicket partnership of the tournament. When Rohit Sharma departed, the Indian total read 39 made from 3.4 overs. Rohit Sharma’s contribution, 23, had been his best in this marquee event. He played 11 deliveries and hit three boundaries and a towering six. Virat Kohli, too, got his highest of this tournament and was the second man to depart at 71. Virat made 37 from 38 balls with a boundary and three delightful hits to the maximum. It was this innings that showed glimpses of his calibre and class.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was in his usual self, playing his strokes all around the wicket. He saw Surya Kumar Yadav's arrival and departure before returning to the pavilion. Rishabh made 36 from 24 balls. His innings were decorated with four boundaries and two hits to the maximum. Surya lasted two balls, hitting the first one from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, for a beautiful six before getting caught by keeper Liton Das on the next ball.
The most pleasing part of the Indian innings was a 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket that saw Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya use their batting potential to the fullest. Hardik Pandya completed his first 50 from 27 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. He remained unbeaten as he lost his partner, Shivam at 161 in 17.2 overs. Shivam Dube contributed 34 from 24 balls. His flawless hitting saw him decorating his innings with three sixers.
It was a day when almost every Indian batter made a solid contribution. “It is a good total by India and I appreciate my partnership with Shivam Dube,” he said in a post-innings comment. For Bangladesh, the most successful bowlers were Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2 for 32) Rishad Hossain (two for 43) and Shakib Al Hassan (one for 37).
Bangladesh batters got a steady start from Tanzid Hasan and Lipton Das. They sailed unbeaten till the end of the fifth over, striking crucial boundaries and negotiating the Indian pacers well. Jasprit Bumrah was unlucky when wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant dropped a straight chance.
When India brought Hardik Pandya, he clutched his way into the game in his first over and removed Liton Das. India’s strength lies in its spin trio. It was exhibited to the hilt by Kuldeep Yadav as he remained virtually unplayable. He ended with impressive figures of three for 19. Finally in the closing overs, when skipper Rohit Sharma called back pacers, both Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 13) and Arshdeep Singh (two for 30), they responded enthusiastically to restrict Bangladesh to 146 for 8, just 50 runs short of the victory target.
With this win, India moves to the top of its table with a maximum of four points.
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