India Clinch Series with Dominant 86-Run Win Over Bangladesh in Second T20I
India Seal Series with Unassailable 2-0 Lead
India secured a comprehensive 86-run victory against Bangladesh in the second T20I, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The hosts outclassed the visitors with both bat and ball, recording their biggest-ever win against Bangladesh in T20Is. Despite Bangladesh winning the toss and opting to bowl, expecting the dew factor to assist in their chase, India posted a formidable total of 221/9, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting task.
India's Middle-Order Resurgence After Early Wickets
India's innings started briskly, with openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma attacking Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the opening over. However, Bangladesh fought back quickly, removing India’s top three inside the powerplay. Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mustafizur Rahman each picked up a wicket, leaving India at 43/3.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh then steadied the innings, taking the game away from Bangladesh with an explosive 108-run partnership. Nitish, playing in only his second T20I, shone with a blistering 74 off 34 balls, smashing four boundaries and seven sixes to notch up his maiden T20I half-century. Rinku Singh also impressed, contributing a quickfire 53 off 29 balls, providing valuable support.
In the final overs, Hardik Pandya (32 off 19) and Riyan Parag (15 off 6) added the finishing touches, propelling India past the 220-run mark. Rishad Hossain picked up three wickets in the last over, but Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India, with Rishad conceding 55 runs in his four overs.
Bangladesh's Batting Struggles Continue
Chasing a steep target of 222, Bangladesh got off to a positive start, with Parvez Hossain Emon hitting a few boundaries off Arshdeep Singh. However, Arshdeep dismissed Emon, triggering a collapse as Bangladesh’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with no batter, barring Mahmudullah Riyad (41 off 39), offering any resistance. The rest of the line-up failed to cross the 20-run mark as India’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold.
India delivered a complete bowling performance, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (2/23) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/19) leading the charge. Arshdeep (1/26), Washington Sundar (1/4), Mayank Yadav (1/30), Abhishek Sharma (1/10), and Riyan Parag (1/16) each contributed with a wicket, ensuring Bangladesh were restricted to 135/9 in their 20 overs.
Series Decider and Final Thoughts
With this emphatic victory, India sealed the series, highlighting their dominance over a struggling Bangladesh side. The third and final T20I will now be a dead rubber, but India will aim to finish the series on a high, while Bangladesh will be eager to salvage some pride.
For Bangladesh, their inability to compete in both departments has been a recurring theme on this tour, and they will need significant improvements to avoid a clean sweep in the final match.
Brief Scores:
- India: 221/9 in 20 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 74, Rinku Singh 53, Rishad Hossain 3/55)
- Bangladesh: 135/9 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah Riyad 41, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/19, Nitish Kumar Reddy 2/23)
- Result: India won by 86 runs and lead the series 2-0.