Ind v Ban World T20 Review: India survive by the skin of their teeth on ‘Holi-day’

India survived a humiliating defeat in front of a packed house in Bangalore as Bangladesh handed the hosts a Holi gift in a nail-biting last ball finish. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza decided to field first on a slow pitch and his decision almost turned out right as the visitors restricted India to 146/7. In reply, Bangladesh needed 11 off the last over and later just 2 off 3 however Hardik Pandya’s ordinary deliveries produced 2 massive wickets before a last ball run out. Bangladeshi batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah were guilty of going for the glory shots when singles would have got the job done.

Tamim Iqbal, who missed the Australia game due to food poisoning, returned to the Bangladeshi XI. He replaced left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib, who made his international debut in the last match against Australia. India, predictably, went with the same line-up that prevailed against Pakistan.

The Indian openers failed to take on the bowling and struggled to find their timing. The last ball of the power-play brought the wicket of Rohit Sharma who made 18 off 16 balls including a 1 four and a six. It was Mustafizur Rahman who gave his side the break through. Shakib Al Hasan got into the act and trapped Shikhar Dhawan in front to reduce India to 45/2 in 7 overs. The southpaw’s 23 off 22 included 2 fours and a six.

Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina took their time to build a much-needed partnership for the hosts. Kohli hammered a six in a run-a-ball 24 before being bowled by Shuvagata Hom. Raina made 30 off 24 including 2 sixes and one four before being holed out at mid-wicket. Hardik Pandya was promoted to lift the run-rate and started off in blazing style. He spanked 2 fours and a six in his knock of 15 off 7 which was ended by Soumya Sarkar’s incredible diving catch near the boundary.

Yuvraj Singh tried to scoop one over fine leg, however, ended up giving an easy catch that ended his stay. He made 3 off 6 balls and struggled to time the ball like most batsmen. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 12 off 8 that included 2 important boundaries. He was cleaned up by Rahman. MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 13 off 12 however could manage only one four while R Ashwin’s unbeaten 5 off 2 balls included a vital four. Al-Amin Hossain was expensive in his spell of 2/37 along with Rahman who took 2/34.

Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah bowled two tight overs before Ashwin bowled the third one which produced the wicket of Mohammad Mithun (1). Tamim struggled and was dropped by Bumrah off Ashwin that turned the momentum in Bangladesh’s favour. He hammered the next over bowled by Bumrah for 16 spanking 4 fours. He was eventually dismissed by Jadeja for 35. Sabbir Rahman (26) became Raina’s only wicket in his only over as Dhoni’s smart work resulted in a stumping.

Shakib batted well for his 22 off 15 including 2 sixes however Ashwin got his crucial wicket while Mortaza (6) was cleaned up by Jadeja. Mahmudullah (18) and Soumya Sarkar (21) were doing the job well before Nehra removed Sarkar in the 18th over. Bumrah bowled a superb 19th over giving away only 6 runs that was followed by a dramatic last one from Pandya.

Rahim (11) has spanked 2 fours off successive deliveries, however, tried to pull the 4th ball and gave Dhawan an easy catch at mid-wicket. Mahmudullah hit a full toss to Jadeja who took a fine running catch. Shuvagata Hom (0*) tried to steal a single however MS Dhoni did well to keep the ball in his hand and ran to uproot the stumps that found Rahman short of his crease. The decision was referred as everyone held their breath but the red signal started the celebration for the Indian team and their fans.

Brief Scores:

India: 146/7 in 20 overs (S Raina 30; M Rahman 2/34)

Bangladesh: 145/9 in 20 overs (T Iqbal 35; R Ashwin 2/20)

Man of the Match: R Ashwin (India)