Stand-in skipper Sharma is chief architect of 17-run victory over Bangladesh with 61-ball 89 in Colombo
India's stand-in captain and opening batsman Rohit Sharma slams one en route his 61-ball 89 during the tri-nation T20 Nidahas Trophy match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Pics/AFP
India breezed into the final of the Nidahas Trophy 2018, beating Bangladesh by 17 runs with some ease at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The win was set up by Rohit Sharma, who batted through the innings after losing the toss, making 89 and being run out off the last ball. The deal was sealed by spinners Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have been irresistible all tournament.
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Sundar show
Sundar, bowling in the PowerPlay, sharing the new ball with Mohammad Siraj, who replaced Jaydev Unadkat, was on the money from ball one. Liton Das tried to charge Sundar, but the bowler shortened his length beautifully, allowing Dinesh Karthik to complete the stumping. Soumya Sarkar decided that the expansive sweep was the way to go, but the big shot paid low dividends as a floater went straight on and pegged back the stumps. Tamil Iqbal, who middled a few, tried to get cheeky against Sundar, looking for the dab around the corner on the leg side but he missed and the ball was bang on leg stump.
Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal is bowled by India spinner Washington Sundar. who finished with impressive figures of 3-22 yesterday
Chahal then took over, deceiving Mahmudullah through the air, KL Rahul taking a comfortable catch at deep midwicket. At 61 for 4, the chase was as good as over, and even a stirring rearguard from Mushfiqur Rahim, unbeaten on 72, left Bangladesh well short of their target. Sundar, named Man of the Match, ended with 3 for 23 and Chahal finished with 1 for 21. The eight overs of spin cost only 44 runs, making it impossible for Bangladesh to make up the difference later.
Earlier, India adopted a slightly different approach to batting, choosing caution over aggression. Often, teams batting first look to score too many runs and end up well short, but India guarded against this. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan took things calmly, and even when only 70 came off the first 10 overs, there was little panic as wickets in hand meant that an assault could be launched later.
Raina provides momentum
Suresh Raina provided the momentum with 47 off only 30 balls and Rohit struck five fours and as many sixes in his 89 to take India to 176 for 3 from their 20 overs. Bangladesh would have fancied the chase, having scored 215 against Sri Lanka, but India's spinners were much too good on the day.
View Gallery: Rohit Sharma's wife Ritika Sajdeh is cute and a die-hard romantic!
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