India had several nervous moments in the match against Bangladesh on a rainy evening in Adelaide on Wednesday, but managed to clinch a win that puts them firmly on course for the T20 World Cup semi-finals. A win against Zimbabwe in the last match will ensure them a semi-final berth. Even an unlikely defeat might be enough, thanks to today’s result. Bangladesh opener Litton Das nearly upset India’s plans, scoring 54 of this team’s 60 runs in the first six overs of the power play. A rain interruption was a blessing in disguise for India, allowing them to make a comeback into the match.
Rahul’s redemption
'The March continues' — K L Rahul @klrahul/Twitter
There was talk about K.L. Rahul’s performance because of his failure in India’s first three games in the tournament. The team management, however, kept their faith in the batter from Karnataka, who repaid them in more ways than one. India had got off to a sluggish start — 37 for one after the first six overs of power play. Rahul was finding it difficult to get going, until he unleashed his repertoire of shots square of the wicket on a ground with relatively short square boundaries. A 32-ball 50 with four sixes was just what India needed. Rahul was not at his best but good enough. His big hits kept the team in the hunt for a big total when runs were not coming fluently at the other end. Later, Rahul turned the match around with a direct hit from the deep to run out Litton, who was threatening to take the game away from India.
Kohli-SKY on a mission
'It's like I'm meant to come to Adelaide and enjoy my batting' — Virat Kohli @ICC/Twitter
Virat Kohli seems to have made it a point to shepherd India not only through the initial phase when the bowlers are getting a bit of purchase but also when quick runs are required at the death. Having done this against Pakistan and the Netherlands, Kohli did it against Bangladesh, too. Measured in the early overs, rotating strike in the middle overs and cutting loose at the end, India’s most celebrated batter played according to the situation. He had an ally in Suryakumar Yadav, who has hardly put a foot wrong recently. SKY was his usual imperious self in stroke-making until an attempted cut off the stumps ended his 30-run innings off only 16 balls. Kohli finished with 64 from 44.
Pandya-Arshdeep strikes
The going was not smooth for India even after they got rid of the dangerous Litton. Bangladesh needed 52 from the last five overs with eight wickets in hand. That’s when the Indian bowling attack’s skill and ability to handle pressure came to the fore. Having gone for three fours in his first over, Arshdeep Singh bowled a fantastic 12th over that fetched two wickets for just two runs. He was fast and straight, just what was needed on a pitch that was not offering much to bowlers. India’s catching in the deep was commendable too; Suryakumar and substitute Deepak Hooda came up with well-judged efforts under pressure. And as if to make up for his failure with the bat, Hardik Pandya delivered an excellent over right after Arshdeep’s, taking two wickets for seven runs. Bangladesh lost four wickets for nine runs in two overs and failed to recover, even though they remained in the hunt throughout.
Arshdeep Singh bowled a fantastic 12th and Hardik Pandya delivered an excellent over right after Arshdeep’s
Dot-ball concern
Despite the win, India’s strike rate in the early part of the innings remains a concern, especially the number of dot balls during the power play. There were 23 deliveries inside the first 36 off which runs were not scored. Bangladesh, in comparison, conceded just 12 dot balls in that period. It did not hurt India in the end on Wednesday, but these things might prove crucial at the business end of the competition.
Off the field
This might have been a first in international cricket. Someone from the support staff patrolling the fence with a brush in hand to wipe mud off the boots of the bowlers. Because of the rain, the ground got slushy and bowlers, especially those with longer run-ups, were in the danger of slipping. So, the team’s throw-down specialist, Raghavendra, was patrolling the other side of the boundary with a brush, rubbing the mud off the spikes.
Did you know?
The Adelaide Oval, which hosted the India-Bangladesh match on Wednesday, has a scoreboard that is 114 years old. Around the turn of the century, the authorities had contemplated replacing the old scoreboard with a modern, electronic one. Local residents and club members opposed the plan, helping keep the old scoreboard in place. This picture of the ground was taken from inside that scoreboard.
