India held their nerves to secure a 5-run win over Bangladesh in a rain-marred last-over thriller at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday and strengthened their hopes of qualifying for the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup. Arshdeep Singh turned the hero as the young left-arm pacer defended 20 runs in the last over to deny Bangladesh a historic win in Adelaide.
Bangladesh got off to a brilliant start in the 185-run chase as Litton Das took the attack to Indian pacers and hit a quickfire 21-ball fifty before the rain started pouring down after the 7th over of Bangladesh’s chase of 185 in the Group 2 match.
Bangladesh were well ahead of the Duckworth Lews Stern (DLS) par score at the 7th-over mark as the Shakib al Hasan-led side had posted 66 for 0 in 7 overs, which was 17 runs more than the DLS par score of 49. However, the Super 12 match resumed after 4 overs were lost due to the rain which lasted for roughly 30 minutes and Bangladesh were set a target of 151 in 16 overs.
India finally got their maiden breakthrough as a direct hit from KL Rahul ended Litton Das’s 60-run knock just moments after the action resumed after the rain delay. Shortly after his dismissal, Mohammed Shami removed Shanto from the middle as Suryakumar Yadav completed a fantastic catch.
Earlier, Virat Kohli continued his eternal love affair with Adelaide and KL Rahul also roared back to form to help India post a competitive 184 for 6 after Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl in the crucial match.
While Kohli scored his third fifty of the T20 World Cup and went unbeaten on 64, Rahul played a confident knock of 50 runs. Kohli was part of a few crucial stands – 67 for the second wicket with Rahul and 38 for the third wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (30).
India skipper Rohit Sharma (2 off 7 balls) was unable to capitalise on the dropped catch in the first over off Taskin Ahmed (0/15 in 4 overs). After the early dismissal of captain Rohit, Kohli relieved Taskin’s early pressure with some quick running between the wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan (2/33 in 4 overs) claimed the wickets of Rahul and Surya, but Taskin was unquestionably the best bowler on display. The stage was set for Suryakumar, who made a quick cameo before Shakib’s arm ball breached his defense.
However, Kohli continued to attack from one end to take India to an above-par total, despite the fact that Hardik Pandya (5), Dinesh Karthik (7), and Axar Patel (7) couldn’t provide much support at the other end. Ravichandran Ashwin (13 not out off 6 balls) delivered some lusty blows that could be very useful in the future.(India Today)
