Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav played their pivotal roles in India’s pulsating win as they outshone Bangladesh to beat them by 50 runs in their Super Eight match of the ongoing T20I World Cup on Saturday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, bolstering their chances of sealing their spot in the semi-final of the tournament.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set India off to a rollicking start scoring 23 and 37 respectively, after men in blue were inserted to bat by Bangladesh. Skipper Sharma’s innings carried more weight as he plundered 23 off 11 deliveries, firing three boundaries and a six. Soon after Rohit Sharma’s departure on 23, Virat Kohli followed him after being dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Shakib. 

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant played a decisive knock off 36 as he saw dangerous Suryakumar Yadav (6 off 2) departing after a brief stay, but not before announcing himself with a towering six. Next to fall victim to Tanzim Hasan’s disciplined spell was Pant, who tried to play a reverse sweep but mistimed it. But thanks to a late cameo from Hardik Pandya (50 off 27), who slammed a blazing half-century, including four boundaries and three sixes. His power-hitting skills helped India race to a formidable total of 196/5 in 20 overs.

Chasing 197 for victory, Bangladesh lost Liton Das early, however, Tanzid Hasan and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto smoked 29 and 40 respectively to put things in order but they too were sent back a little later. Bangladesh faced a daunting task against a well-rounded Indian bowling attack led by Kuldeep Yadav. There was no fightback from Bangladesh as India limited them to 146/8 in 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets. While, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah shared four wickets between them. And, Hardik Pandya claimed one scalp. 

With this win, India’s unbeaten run at the T20I World Cup continues, having downed Ireland, Pakistan, USA, and Afghanistan in their earlier fixtures.