In a dominant display of batting and bowling, India sealed the series victory over Bangladesh with a comfortable 86-run win in the second T20I at Delhi on October 9, 2024. India’s recovery from a precarious 41 for 3 to post 221 for 9 was powered by Nitish Kumar Reddy and
before Hardik Pandya’s late flurry helped them finish with a daunting total. Bangladesh’s chase was always a bridge too far as India’s bowlers ran riot, taking regular wickets to dismiss them for 135.
India: 221/9 (Reddy 74, Rinku 53, Taskin 2-16)
Bangladesh: 135/9 (Mahmudullah 41, Varun 2-19, Reddy 2-23)
India beat Bangladesh by 86 runs
India’s Recovery
After a slow start on a tricky Delhi surface, India were reeling at 41 for 3 in the sixth over. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav fell due to poor shot selection, while Abhishek Sharma was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib. However, Rinku Singh and Nitish Reddy orchestrated a remarkable recovery. Rinku played with ease from the start, while Reddy survived a few early chances, including a dropped catch and a close lbw decision. Together, they steered India to 100 in the 10th over with a barrage of boundaries.
Rinku’s intent was clear, as he swept and pulled the ball with confidence, while Reddy capitalized on some poor bowling by Bangladesh’s spinners, especially Rishad Hossain, who conceded 24 runs in one over. Reddy’s 74 off 34 balls included five boundaries and five sixes, while Rinku remained unbeaten on 53 from 27 balls, his innings also including five boundaries and three sixes. Their partnership was broken when Reddy fell to Mustafizur Rahman, but Hardik Pandya’s explosive 32 off 19 balls ensured India finished strongly.
Bangladesh’s Struggles
Chasing 222, Bangladesh’s response was faltering from the outset. Their top-order failed to provide any significant resistance, with Parvez Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, and Towhid Hridoy falling inside the first seven overs. India’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy (2-19) and Reddy (2-23), stifled Bangladesh’s progress and sent them into disarray.
Mahmudullah tried to fight back with a gritty 41, but the required rate was climbing steeply. Bangladesh lost wickets consistently, with Arshdeep Singh and Washington Sundar also making vital breakthroughs. The game was all but decided by the time Bangladesh was reduced to 46 for 4 in the seventh over.
India’s bowlers kept the pressure up, with Riyan Parag taking a wicket, Hardik Pandya pulling off a stunning catch, and the remaining bowlers – including Arshdeep, Sundar, and Chakravarthy – contributing to the total destruction. Bangladesh was eventually restricted to 135, well short of their target.
India’s clinical all-round performance wrapped up the series with an emphatic win, taking home the 2-0 lead in the T20I series.
