Published 21:49 IST, November 7th 2019
Rohit Sharma wrecks havoc against Bangladesh as India level series 1-1
India beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets to level the three-match T20 series 1-1 in Rajkot. Rohit Sharma starred in the match as he scored 85 runs off 43 balls
India beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets to level the three-match T20 series 1-1 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. In a match that was feared to be gatecrashed by heavy rains, saw Rohit Sharma unleash his beast as he smacked Bangladesh bowlers out of the park and cruised India home. The third and deciding T20 will be played on November 10, in Nagpur.
Rohit Sharma guides India to victory
With a target of 153 set, India looked determined to level the series 1-1 in the second T20. India got off to a blazing start as the opening pair accounted for 63 runs in the powerplay itself. Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma notched up his half-century off just 23 balls, which was also the second-fastest half-century of his career. Dhawan who had a rather quiet day at office watched the skipper smash Bangladesh all over the ground from the other end as both of them breached another 100 partnership for the fourth time. The 10th over, saw Sharma wreak havoc upon Bangladesh as he hit Mosaddek Hossain for three consecutive sixes. However, in the very next over he lost his companion at crease, as Aminul Islam scalped Dhawan's wicket. Aminul also went on to pick Sharma's wicket in his very next over depriving him of his century.
An innings of missed opportunities
Bangladesh got off to a brilliant start with Liton das and Naim powering their side to 59 runs in just 7 overs. However, Bangladesh were lucky enough as Rishabh Pant's stumping of Liton Das was ruled Not Out by the TV umpire. Das was granted another lifeline in 7th over by skipper Rohit Sharma before succumbing to a run out in the next over itself. Washington Sundar fetched India the second wicket as Mohammad Naim, who looked well in form, was caught out on the third delivery of Sundar's last over.
Bangladesh's star in the first T20, Mushfiqur Rahim, unfortunately, could not shine in the second match as Yuzvendra Chahal picked his wicket in 13th over of the game. The same over also saw Rishabh Pant uproot the bails as he stumped Soumya Sarkar way out of the crease off Chahal's last delivery helping India restrict the Tigers to 153 runs.
Updated 22:31 IST, November 7th 2019