India secured a decisive 50-run victory over Bangladesh in their second Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024, held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda.
This win maintains India's unbeaten streak in the tournament, bringing them closer to a semi-final berth.
After being put into bat, India posted an imposing total of 196/5. The innings began aggressively with skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opening. Sharma's quickfire 23 off 11 balls was cut short by Shakib Al Hasan, yet India achieved 53/6 in the powerplay, their highest score in the competition thus far.
Despite Tanzim Hasan Sakib's efforts to stem the flow by dismissing Kohli (37) and Suryakumar Yadav (6) in quick succession, India's middle order steadied the innings. Rishabh Pant contributed a brisk 36 off 24 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes.
The acceleration continued with all-rounders Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, who forged a 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Dube's 34 off 24 balls included three sixes, while Pandya remained unbeaten on 50 off 27 balls, providing a strong finish to the innings.
In response, Bangladesh faced a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Litton Das was the first to fall, scoring 13 before being dismissed by Hardik Pandya in the fifth over. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto showed resilience with a 31-ball 40, but lacked support from the other end. Kuldeep Yadav's spin proved decisive, claiming the wickets of Tanzid Hasan (29) and Towhid Hridoy (4), intensifying the pressure on Bangladesh.
Shakib Al Hasan attempted to accelerate but managed only 11 off 8 balls before being dismissed by Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah ended Shanto’s innings with a well-disguised slower delivery, leaving the captain's knock in vain.
Rishad Hossain's quick 24 off 10 balls provided a brief glimmer of hope, but it was too little too late. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were efficient with figures of 2/13 and 2/30 respectively, while Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the standout bowler with 3/19.
With this victory, India remains undefeated with five consecutive wins, edging closer to securing their spot in the semi-finals. Their final Super 8 match will be against Australia on June 24.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
