The Great Escape, India win against Bangladesh in an epic last over ICC World T20 encounter

In a nail-biting finish, India beat Bangladesh by one run in their World Twenty20 group stage Super 10 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday. Batting first, India scored 146/7 in 20 overs, and later managed to restrict Bangladesh to 145/9 in their full quota of 20 overs.

Bangladesh batsman Mustafizur Rahman was run out on the final ball leaving Bangladesh at 145-9 chasing India’s 146-7. Put into bat first, the India top order made starts but could not force the pace or take charge.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma (18) and Shikhar Dhawan (23) struggled to even score at a run-a-ball, and frustration crept in which resulted in their dismissals. Ravichandran Ashwin was named Man-of-the-Match for his economical spell of 2-20 in 4 overs.

Almost all the Indian batsmen struggled on a track where the ball was not coming onto the bat and Bangladeshi slow bowlers made it even more difficult with their controlled line and length bowling. Suresh Raina (30 off 23 balls) with a boundary and two sixes was the top-scorer but the contribution was not enough looking at the total posted by the hosts. Shikhar Dhawan (23), Virat Kohli (24) spent considerable time at the wicket but could never force the pace. When Hardik Pandya (2/29) was handed the ball, pacers Ashish Nehra, Bumrah, and spinners Ravindra Jadeja (2/22) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/20 in 4 overs) had already finished their quota and Dhoni was hard pressed to choose his options.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has entrusted the reins of bowling the final over of the game, with the visitors needing 10 runs to win. He dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim (11) and Mahmudullah (18) off consecutive deliveries. It was a shooter from Ravindra Jadeja that kept low as Tamim (35, 32 balls) gave the charge to miss it with Dhoni completing the easiest of stumpings. Sabbir (26) was batting well but a moment’s indiscretion off a wide Raina delivery saw Dhoni effect a smart stumping.

With this win, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who effected two stumpings and the run-out in the final delivery of the match, have led India to all five wins versus Bangladesh in T20 so far andIndia kept their semifinal chances alive and play Australia in their final Group game in Mohali on Saturday. While Bangladesh has been knocked out of the tournament and play with New Zealand in Kolkata on Saturday.