In their Super Eight stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Saturday, India defeated Bangladesh with a commanding 196/5 thanks to an undefeated 27-ball half-century by Hardik Pandya and attacking half-century scores from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Shivam Dube.
India dominated with perfect ease on a new pitch right away as all four batters had strike rates above 150 as they prepared to attack. Four boundaries and three sixes punctuated Pandya’s half-century, which was crucial in India scoring 62 runs in the final five overs. India also recorded the highest T20I score at the site thanks to innings of 37 from Kohli, an impressive 36 from Pant, and 34 from Dube after he overcame some early problems. They also failed to contain them for extended stretches of time, hitting 13 sixes, the most they have ever struck in a T20 World Cup match.
With a cross wind forcing him to bat first, Rohit Sharma refused to let the spinners prevail by sweeping Mahedi Hasan for four. He then replicated the same move against Shakib Al Hasan with a same outcome. Kohli got in on the attack against the spinners, first hitting Shakib for a clean six over far on and then powerfully flicking Tanzim Hasan Sakib for four with his bottom hand. Before hitting Shakib for a massive six in the fourth over, Rohit moved down the pitch and sliced him beyond backward point for an additional four runs.
When Rohit got a top-edge on a slog and was caught by backward point, Shakib ultimately had the last laugh. After hammering leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for a six with a well-timed swing with his bottom hand, Kohli struck a further six. However, Bangladesh regained control of the game in the ninth over because to Tanzim’s astute speed adjustment. He produced a slower off-cutter that kept straight to castle Kohli. Tanzim got additional bounce on a length delivery outside off-stump to take Suryakumar’s glove edge behind the keeper, despite Suryakumar Yadav swatting him for a six.
Pant welcomed Rahman with a drive for four through the gap between mid-off and cover when he was at 12 off 15 balls. In order to get 14 runs off the 11th over, he was fast to loft a slower ball from Rahman high over mid-wicket for six and flick a full toss in the space between square leg and fine leg for four more.
After hitting Hossain six times with the spin over long-on and four more times from behind, Pant was next in line for punishment. However, Hossain recovered as Pant made a reverse sweep straight to the short third man. Before Pandya let loose by smashing Mahedi with the wind past extra cover for six and four, respectively, Dube and Pandya dealt in singles.
After hitting three consecutive rapid sixes, Hossain sent Dube packing with a slower googly. Pandya was still at his best, blasting two sixes and then three fours off Rahman in the last over to put India over 190 and get his fifty on the last ball of the innings.
Quick scores:
In 20 overs, India defeated Bangladesh 196/5 (Hardik Pandya 50 not out, Virat Kohli 37; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2-32, Rishad Hossain 2-43).