T20 World Cup: India boost semi-final chances with five-run win over Bangladesh
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ICC Men's T20 World Cup Group 2, Adelaide |
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India 184-6 (20 overs): Kohli 64* (44), KL Rahul 50 (32); Mahmud 3-47 |
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Bangladesh 145-6 (16 overs): Das 60 (27); Hardik 2-28 |
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India won by five runs (DLS) |
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Scorecard. Tables |
India moved to the brink of a semi-final spot with a tense
five-run victory over Bangladesh in a rain-affected Men's T20 World Cup match
in Adelaide.
They were given a scare by the Tigers, who raced to 66-0 in
seven overs, chasing 185, thanks to Litton Das' 21-ball fifty before rain
stopped play.
Bangladesh were 17 runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS)
par score but saw their target revised to 151 off 16 overs.
A furious Das slipped on the wet pitch and was run out shortly
after the restart, with the Tigers then losing regular wickets in a faultless
fielding display by India.
Needing 20 from the last over, Nurul Hasan hit a six and a four
to take the game to the last ball.
A six would have made it a tie and a super over, but seamer
Arshdeep Singh held his nerve and conceded just a single to leave the Tigers on
145-6.
India are now top of Group 2 and victory in their final game
against Zimbabwe will guarantee their place in the semi-finals, while
Bangladesh need to beat Pakistan and hope other results go their way.
Earlier, KL Rahul's fifty and Virat Kohli's third half-century
of the tournament helped India post 184-6.
Das' stunning knock of 60 off 27 gave Bangladesh real hope of an upset but the rain and their opponents' nerveless fielding ultimately ensured their 11th defeat in 12 T20s against India.
Bangladesh frustrated by
DLS controversy
India's total of 185 felt well beyond Bangladesh's reach at the
halfway stage, but Das felt differently.
He played with little fear and little respect for India's pace
bowlers, who have been prolific in the tournament so far.
It was a heroic effort from the opener to ensure his side were
so far ahead of the par score after the powerplay, finding the boundary
regularly with a combination of power and flair - a ramp over his shoulder for
six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar the highlight.
But when it was confirmed that play would resume, Bangladesh
needed 85 from the remaining nine overs. That meant scoring at a higher
run-rate than they had been doing to get themselves into such a strong position.
Captain Shakib Al Hasan was visibly aggrieved, touching the wet
ground and gesturing to the umpires that it was unsafe to resume yet.
And their fears soon became reality when Das slipped trying for
a second run from the second ball after the delay. Rahul's immense one-handed
pick up and throw may have dismissed Das anyway but his slip ensured the
playing conditions will be a major talking point.
And Das' wicket was the key - it sparked a collapse of six
wickets for 40 runs, India safely pouching four high catches, to severely dent
Bangladesh's hopes as the run rate climbed, with Nurul's unbeaten 14-ball 25 in
vain.
The tournament has had four games abandoned by rain already,
with South Africa and Zimbabwe finally called off after Zimbabwe players had
slipped over.
"It has been the story of us against India. We are always
almost there but never cross the line," said Shakib.
"We wanted to enjoy this World Cup and we played a good
game of cricket. We have one game left and I hope we can continue that."
Sublime Kohli's fine form
continues
After half-centuries against Pakistan and the Netherlands, Kohli
bounced back from a failure against South Africa to punish Bangladesh.
The Tigers' bowlers started with impressive discipline, removing
Rohit Sharma for two and Taskin Ahmed conceding just 15 runs from his five
overs.
But Kohli, building off Rahul's fast start and supported by
Suryakumar Yadav's 30 from 15 balls, withstood it all.
Edges flew past the stumps and catching chances just evaded the
fielders before he moved through the gears, deflating the Bangladesh bowlers in
the process.
His 64 not out takes his tally of runs to 220 in four innings -
and the swagger and confidence of old has returned.
India look set for the semi-finals, and will be desperate for
their star man to keep on firing.
"It was another good day with the bat and I was just trying
to play myself into the innings," he said. "I felt like I was
striking it really well. I'm just in a happy place.
"I don't want to compare, and in this present moment I'm
happy to contribute for my team."
