India-Bangladesh T20I Rivalry: Memorable Moments and Thrilling Encounters
The India-Bangladesh rivalry in T20 internationals has been marked by thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments. Here are some of the most memorable clashes between these two teams:
1. 2016 World Cup Final-Over Thriller (Bengaluru)
In the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, India and Bangladesh faced off in a Super 10 match that ended in a dramatic finish. Chasing 147, Bangladesh needed 11 runs off the last over with four wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya bowled the final over, and Bangladesh seemed poised for victory with just 2 runs needed off 3 balls. However, Pandya took two wickets in two balls, leaving Bangladesh requiring two off the final delivery. Shuvagata Hom tried to sneak a single, but MS Dhoni’s lightning-fast sprint to run out Mustafizur Rahman sealed a miraculous 1-run victory for India.
2. Karthik’s Last-Ball Heroics – Nidahas Trophy Final (2018)
In the Nidahas Trophy final in 2018, India needed 167 to win against Bangladesh. India struggled in the chase, and with 34 runs needed off the last two overs, Bangladesh seemed to have the upper hand. Enter Dinesh Karthik. His unbeaten 29 off just 8 balls, including three sixes and two fours, turned the game on its head. The match went down to the last ball, with India needing 5 runs to win. Karthik struck a sensational flat six over extra cover off Soumya Sarkar’s bowling, sealing a nail-biting 4-wicket victory for India.
3. Asia Cup T20 Final (2016)
In the 2016 Asia Cup final in Dhaka, India and Bangladesh met in a rain-shortened 15-over match. Bangladesh posted a challenging total of 120, and India’s chase was led by Shikhar Dhawan, who played a fluent knock of 60 off 44 balls. While Bangladesh kept the pressure on, MS Dhoni once again finished the game in style, hitting a towering six to seal an 8-wicket win for India.
4. Deepak Chahar’s Record-Breaking Spell (Nagpur 2019)
In the 2019 T20I series decider in Nagpur, India and Bangladesh were tied at 1-1. Bangladesh was in control of their chase of 175, but Deepak Chahar produced a sensational spell of bowling, taking 6 wickets for just 7 runs, including a hat-trick. Chahar’s spell not only turned the game in India’s favor but also set a new record for the best bowling figures in T20 internationals. Bangladesh was bowled out for 144, handing India a series-clinching 30-run victory.
5. Bangladesh’s Only Win vs India, 2019
Bangladesh secured their first and only T20I victory against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi in November 2019. Batting first, India posted 148/6. Bangladesh, in reply, chased down the target with three balls to spare, thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 60 off 43 balls.