India vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I, Rajkot: Preview, likely XIs, prediction

India vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I, Rajkot: Preview, likely XIs, prediction

Rishabh Pant India Bangladesh

The odds were heavily stacked against Bangladesh when they took field in the first T20I – the 1,000th in history – in a Delhi evening when air pollution level reached hazardous levels. They had neither Shakib Al Hasan nor Tamim Iqbal, but that did not stop prevent them from creating history by defeating India for the first time in T20 Internationals.

The teams will now face off at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, even as threats of Cyclone Maha looms large. Heavy rains are predicted on the day of the match; there is little one can do but hope for the match to begin.

Bangladesh’s chase was set up by Mushfiqur’s beautifully paced unbeaten 60, off 43 balls, with resolute support from Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, and Mahmudullah. The likes of Afif Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain, both of whom are capable of big hitting, were not even used.

And then there were the bowlers. Mustafizur Rahman was needed for only 2 overs as the young spinners – Aminul Islam and Afif – stepped up to the challenge on a pitch where the ball often stopped a bit before coming on to the bat. Both spinners had batsmen hurrying on to their strokes on multiple occasions.

The Indian innings never gained momentum once Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul fell early. Shreyas Iyer played cleared the boundary twice, while Krunal Pandya and Washington Sundar made the most of the death overs. However, the two top scorers – Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant – took 68 balls for their 68, which reduced the Indian innings to a crawl.

To be fair, the Indian bowlers did a competent job. Even Khaleel Ahmed, who was criticised severely after being hit for four consecutive fours by Mushfiqur in the 19th over, had figures of 3.2-0-21-1 before the onslaught. They were simply outplayed by some exceptional batting under pressure by Mushfiqur, who, it should be mentioned, survived an easy drop by Krunal.

Head to head

Bangladesh’s win meant that India no longer hold a hundred per cent record against them. India now lead 8-1.

Key players

Yuzvendra Chahal (India): The senior-most bowler of the Indian attack, Chahal has to rise to the challenge of keeping a group of fleet-footed batsmen in check. He needs three wickets to become the third Indian to 50 T20I wickets, and will want to reach there at Rajkot.

Aminul Islam (Bangladesh): Aminul, who will turn 20 on the day before the match, defied his lack of experience in the first match: he found admirable turn and used the slowness of the pitch to great extent, taking out both Rahul and Iyer.

Likely XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Bangladesh: Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain.