Sports Desk
1 June
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a commanding display of skill and strategy, India secured a comprehensive 60-run victory over Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup practice match held recently. Winning the toss, the Indian team opted to bat first, setting a formidable target with a total score of 182/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Indian innings were anchored by stellar performances from key batsmen. Opener Rohit Sharma set the tone with a brisk 40, laying a solid foundation. Virat Kohli followed suit with a well-crafted 50, his innings laced with precision and power, featuring a mix of boundaries and deft singles. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya provided the finishing touches, with quickfire contributions of 35 and 30 respectively, ensuring India posted an imposing total.
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with only Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan managing to make a notable impact, claiming a couple of wickets each. Despite their efforts, India’s batsmen were relentless, exploiting gaps and running hard between the wickets to maintain a high run rate throughout the innings.
In response, the Bangladeshi batting lineup faltered under the pressure of chasing a daunting target. The Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, delivered an exceptional performance, dismantling the opposition’s top order early. Bumrah’s pace and accuracy earned him figures of 3/22, while Kumar’s economical spell tightened the screws on the Bangladeshi batsmen.
Bangladesh’s innings never gained momentum, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Only Liton Das showed some resistance with a fighting 35, but his efforts were in vain as the rest of the lineup crumbled. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja further compounded Bangladesh’s woes, each picking up crucial wickets to stifle any chances of a comeback.
Ultimately, Bangladesh could only muster 122/9 in their 20 overs, handing India a resounding victory by 60 runs. This dominant performance serves as a strong statement from the Indian team as they gear up for the main tournament, showcasing their readiness and formidable form heading into the World Cup.