T20 World Cup: Team India on verge of qualifying for semis after five-run win over Bangladesh in Adelaide

A piece of sheer on-field brilliance by a rejuvenated KL Rahul and divine intervention by wear gods took India one step closer to T20 World Cup semifinals with an edge-of--seat five-run victory over Bangladesh in a rain-curtailed contest here on Wednesday.

Having posted an imposing total of 184 for 6 courtesy Virat Kohli (64 t out off 44) and KL Rahul (50 off 32), little did India factor in what was about to hit m in form of Litton Das (60 off 27 balls).

Needing 151 in 16 overs as per revised target after a brief spell of rain, Bangladesh mand 145/6 in end. India, who w have six points from four games, will need to beat Zimbabwe in ir last Super-12 match to clinch a last four place.

Needing 20 off last over, young Arshdeep Singh showed ice-cool temperament despite Nurul Hasan hitting him for a six and four as he bowled couple of perfect yorker length deliveries to seal tie.

Just when Bangladesh were cruising along at 66 for loss in 7 overs, heavens opened up much to delight of Bangladeshi fans and ir partisan media.

After forced break, revised target as per DLS method required Bangladesh to score 85 off 54 balls. break did affect ir momentum as Rahul effected a run-out that will be a part of any highlights pack with direct throw from deep mid-wicket getting rid of Litton.

Just like it happened with Mohammed Nawaz in Asia Cup, India’s coaching staff had planning for Litton, who cleverly played for rain.

After a quiet first over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, next over by Arshdeep saw right-hander repeatedly stepping down wicket, trying to negate any swing on offer.

In next few overs, he was all over Arshdeep and Bhuvneshwar as he converted good length deliveries into over-pitched ones and lofted m over infield. It was one of finest T20I fifties for Bangladesh, coming only in 21 balls.

Litton played cover drives, pulls and hit sixes behind square guiding pace of deliveries, making Rohit Sharma look clueless during Powerplay overs which yielded 60 runs.

By time it started drizzling, Bangladesh were 66 for loss in seven overs with a 17-run advant on DLS par score.

Once target was reduced, Rahul’s inspirational fielding from deep found Litton short of his ground at n-striker’s end.

Shanto (21 off 25 balls) struggled for timing for better part before a mistimed pull off Shami’s bowling found Suryakumar Yadav at wide long-on.

While two wickets fell in quick succession, moist outfield due to rain made it difficult to grip ball as Shakib Al Hasan launched into Ravichandran Ashwin for a couple of boundaries.

But Arshdeep (2/38 in 4 overs) coming for his post-rain spell got dangerous Afif Hossain caught by Surya and n skipper Shakib was caught by substitute fielder Deepak Hooda at deep mid-wicket to change complexion of match.

Hardik (2/28 in 3 overs) n removed Yasir Ali and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat in one over to seal match.

Earlier, Kohli’s eternal love affair with Adelaide Oval continued as he powered India to a strong total.

re were eight fours and a six in his 44-ball innings as ne of Bangladesh bowlers had any answer for his exquisite stroke-play.

pitch was way slower compared to Perth and Bangladesh bowling attack fizzled out under extreme pressure in post-Powerplay overs as Rahul (50 off 31 ball) also returned to form with his first fifty of tournament.

Kohli, en route to his third half-century of competition, had couple of useful stands – 67 for second wicket with Rahul and 38 for third wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 15 balls).

Shakib Al Hasan (2/33 in 4 overs) picked wickets of Rahul and Surya but Taskin undoubtedly was best bowler on view.

Having copped a lot of criticism over past three games, Rahul got into his element. He played his customary ‘pick-up pull-shot’, which is a whip off wrists behind square for a six.

With skipper Rohit dismissed cheaply, Kohli eased initial pressure put by Taskin with some fleet-footed running between wickets.

Rahul took 20 balls to score his first 21 runs but once Powerplay was done away with, he suddenly upped ante as in one over from Shoriful, he hit a short-arm pull over deep mid-wicket and a slash over backward point for two maximums.

That ninth over from Shoriful yielded 24 runs and pressure was completely released on Indian batters.

Rahul’s next 29 runs came off 10 balls before his 31-ball-50 ended when an attempted lap-shot found top-edge and Mustafizur took a well-judged catch off skipper Shakib’s bowling. Kohli at or end hit a flurry of boundaries – couple off Taskin, one from Mustafizur and best of lot – a copybook off-drive that one can watch on loop as many times one wishes to.

st was set for Suryakumar and he responded in style with a quickfire cameo before Shakib’s arm-ball breached his defense.

However, Kohli continued to attack from one end to take India to an above-par score.