Double Blow for India
With India well set for a big finish with five overs to go and 112 in the bank, the dangerous looking duo of Raina and Pandya perished on consecutive balls to halt India’s attack. While Raina holed out at midwicket, Pandya was hunt down by another Soumya classic at the rope as India could add just another 34 more runs after the double blows.
Bumrah’s Horror Field Day
Chasing a stiff target on a slowish surface, Bangladesh required a good start to their innings while India needed early wickets. Tamim had already been offered a life by Nehra off his own bowling and India realizing the importance of his wicket brought in Ashwin who with his lovely off-breaks, troubled Tamim consistently and finally induced a top-edge that was dropped by Bumrah. Bumrah, having a horror of a day on the field was asked to bowl the next over but in search for redemption, Bumrah could only send down half-volleys and was deservingly punished for four fours and pain-stakingly, from Tamim’s willow that changed the course of the match towards Bangladesh.
Just Another Day In The Office For Dhoni
Known for his clever work behind the stumps, Dhoni produced magic yet again as he out-smarted the in-form Sabbir Rahman to bring India back into the match. As Raina bowled wide outside leg, Sabbir lost his balance just for a fraction but the quick hands of Dhoni made sure this small mistake was enough for him to give India a crucial breakthrough.
The Final Drama
Needing just 2 off the last 3 balls with four wickets in hand and two experienced players on the crease, the match was Bangladesh’s or as we believed! An inexperienced Hardik Pandya could only deliver a length ball and it seemed over but pressure can make you do crazy things and this couldn’t have been crazier! First, Mushi sent a length ball down Shikhar’s throat, followed by a mistimed loft off a full toss by Mahmadullah and the last ball produced yet another smart piece off glovework from Dhoni as India, against all odds won the match by a single run to script a historic win.
