Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 to help India edge closer to a T20 World Cup semi-final spot after a convincing 50-run victory over Bangladesh in Antigua.
India continued their unbeaten run in the tournament after their bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 146-8 chasing 197 for victory on a bouncy pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Pandya (50no off 27) and Shivam Dube (34 off 24) shared an important 53-run stand in India’s total of 196-5 as Bangladesh struggled against their flurry of boundaries having won the toss and elected to bowl.
Bangladesh lost their final four wickets for 36 runs as India’s bowlers backed up their batting performance with Kuldeep Yadav (3-19) finishing on a three-for and Jasprit Bumrah (2-13) taking two.
Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan became the first bowler from any country to take 50 wickets in T20 World Cups after dismissing India’s skipper Rohit Sharma (23).
The win takes India to the top of the Group 1 table with four points and in sight of a World Cup semi-final spot, while Bangladesh drop to fourth place. Rohit Sharma’s side are searching for a first T20 World Cup success since winning the inaugural tournament in 2007.
Hardik puts on batting exhibition
Virat Kohli (37) and Rohit Sharma (23) fired fleetingly for India sharing a 39-run opening partnership but were unable to stamp their authority.
Rohit smashed three boundaries and one six during his 11-ball outing but skewed Shakib Al Hasan (1-37) to mid-on where he was caught by Jaker Ali.
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Virat Kohli was building real momentum against Bangladesh before he was bowled by Tanzim Hasan at the T20 World Cup
Kohli’s search for form continued after he was bowled by a slow off-cutter in the ninth over from 21-year-old Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-32). The India opener has made scores of one (against Ireland), four (Pakistan), 0 (USA) and 24 (Afghanistan) during this tournament.
Tanzim used the extra bounce on offer in Antigua to have Suryakumar Yadav (6) – who made 53 in India’s previous game – caught behind in the same over he removed Kohli, leaving India on 77-3.
Pant (36) helped bring up India’s 100 but was caught at short third after reverse-sweeping Rishad Hossain (2-43), making it the second time on the trot he’s been dismissed playing that shot.
Rishad’s half-tracker got hammered for a mighty six by Shivam Dube (34) but he dismissed the Indian all-rounder in his following delivery with a full toss that spun back and went through his gate.
Hardik smashed three boundaries in the final over which took him to his fifty and led India to a commanding total of 196-5, the fifth highest total in the tournament so far.
Bangladesh stutter in reply
Hardik’s excellence translated into his bowling when he made the first breakthrough for India having Litton Das (13) caught at deep square in the powerplay.
Kuldeep Yadav (3-19) trapped Tanzid Hasan (29) and Towhid Hridoy (4) lbw in consecutive overs to stunt Bangladesh’s chase to 76-3 by the halfway mark, and then had Shakib (11) top-edge to extra cover off a slower ball.
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Kuldeep Yadav showed off his spinning skills as he took three vital wickets for India against Bangladesh in the Super 8s match
Bangladesh’s skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (40) made a significant score for his side, hitting three sixes and one boundary, but chopped a wide slower ball by Bumrah to his fellow seamer Arshdeep on the deep third boundary.
Rishad (24) smashed three sixes off seven deliveries between Axar Patel (0-26) and Arshdeep Singh (2-30) but his cameo was brought to an end when he pulled Bumrah to extra cover.
Arshdeep’s slower bouncer saw Mahmudullah return to the dugout in the final over, but by then victory was already in India’s hands with their opponents needing 55 runs from the final over.
Rohit delighted with ‘smart’ India
India skipper Rohit Sharma:
“We know exactly what is expected of us, what we need to do and how we need to play. All the batters tried to apply pressure.
“I thought we adapted to conditions and were very smart with the bat, then we used conditions with the ball. Overall it was a great effort.”
Najmul: Bangladesh lacked intent with bat
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto:
“We have a lot of batting options but we didn’t show the intent we needed when we were chasing 190-plus.
“We should have got more in the first six overs.”
What’s next?
India come up against unbeaten Australia on Monday 24 June (3.30pm UK and Ireland), whilst Bangladesh face Afghanistan on Tuesday 25 June (1.30am UK and Ireland).
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