Antigua: In a stellar bowling performance, Kuldeep Yadav took three crucial wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah each claimed two, leading India to a commanding 50-run victory over Bangladesh in the Super 8s of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, on Saturday.
Bangladesh struggled to score quickly against India’s tight bowling, with the spinners, led by Kuldeep Yadav tightening the noose. Despite Shanto’s valiant effort, which included a couple of sixes off Hardik Pandya, Bangladesh couldn’t reduce the required run rate. Kuldeep’s outstanding spell, complemented by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, ensured India maintained control and clinched the win.
Earlier in the first innings, Hardik Pandya’s explosive half-century, along with notable contributions from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Shivam Dube, powered India to a formidable total of 196/5 against Bangladesh.
The Men-In-Blue showcased a strong batting performance as they reached a competitive total of nearly 196 runs. The innings saw a promising start with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli setting the pace early on, although Sharma’s departure in the fourth over marked an early setback. Kohli and Rishabh Pant continued to build the innings steadily, both reaching their 30s before losing their wickets.
Shivam Dube contributed a crucial 34 off 24 balls, stabilising the middle order, but it was Hardik Pandya’s explosive fifty run innings that provided the much-needed impetus towards the end. Pandya’s aggressive batting ensured India achieved a formidable total, setting up an exciting contest for their opponents.
Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first aginst India.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma at the toss said, “We wanted to bat and that’s what we got. Looks like a good wicket and depends on how much the sun is beating down and making the pitch slow. Important to assess the conditions quickly. We are playing the same team. Important to stay in the present and not worry about other things.”
Bangladesh skipper after winning the toss said, “We would like to bowl first, we would like to restrict them to a small total and that is the plan. We know the conditions here and also about the wind factor. Looks a good wicket. 150-160 will be a good score I reckon. We have one change. Taskin is not playing.”
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
