Hardik Pandya's explosive 27-ball half-century, along with aggressive contributions in the 30s from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Shivam Dube, led India to a formidable total of 196/5 against Bangladesh in their Super Eight match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday.
On a fresh pitch, India seized control from the start with a seamless offensive display, as each batter targeted the bowlers, resulting in four players achieving strike rates above 150. Pandya’s pivotal fifty featured four boundaries and three sixes, crucially helping India accumulate 62 runs in the final five overs. Kohli contributed a solid 37, Pant entertained with a brisk 36, and Dube, overcoming initial struggles, added 34. Their efforts led India to record the highest T20I score at this venue, and the team hit 13 sixes—the most in a T20 World Cup game for India—as Bangladesh found it challenging to contain their onslaught.
Opting to bat first amidst a crosswind, Rohit Sharma immediately unsettled the spinners, sweeping Mahedi Hasan for four and repeating the feat against Shakib Al Hasan. Kohli joined the assault, launching Shakib over long-on for six and powerfully flicking Tanzim Hasan Sakib for four using his bottom hand. Rohit danced down to hit Shakib for a massive six and sliced him for another boundary in the fourth over.
However, Shakib had his moment when Rohit’s top-edge on a slog was caught at backward point. Kohli continued his aggressive approach, hitting Mustafizur Rahman for six and driving leg-spinner Rishad Hossain down the ground for another maximum. But Tanzim shifted the momentum in the ninth over with a slower off-cutter that bowled Kohli. Despite Suryakumar Yadav hitting a six, Tanzim induced extra bounce on a delivery outside off-stump to edge Suryakumar behind to the keeper.
Pant, initially at 12 from 15 balls, struck Rahman through cover and mid-off for four, then heaved a slower ball over mid-wicket for six and flicked a full toss between square leg and fine leg for another four, collecting 14 runs from the 11th over.
Next, Hossain faced Pant’s onslaught as he was struck over long-on for six and swept behind for four. Hossain retaliated by getting Pant out with a reverse sweep to short third man. Pandya and Dube rotated the strike before Pandya unleashed, hitting Mahedi for six and four through extra cover.
Dube smashed three quick sixes before a slower googly from Hossain bowled him. Pandya maintained his aggressive tempo, hitting two sixes and three fours in the final over from Rahman, pushing India past 190 and securing his fifty on the last ball of the innings.
Brief scores:
India 196/5 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 50 not out, Virat Kohli 37; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2-32, Rishad Hossain 2-43) against Bangladesh
