2nd T20I: India seal series after Nitish special bludgeons Bangladesh in Delhi
Young Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-round heroics helped India register their biggest T20I win over.
Bangladesh in the second T20I in Delhi, securing the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead on Wednesday. World champions India, having rested several first-choice players, posted a mammoth 221/9 and then returned to restrict Bangladesh to a modest 135/9 for an 86-run win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Despite Bangladesh’s aggressive start in the chase, with opener Parvez Hossain Emon hitting three boundaries in the first over, India’s bowlers quickly took control. Arshdeep Singh, after conceding early boundaries, had the last laugh by dismissing Emon in his next over. The introduction of India’s spinners, led by Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy, completely derailed Bangladesh’s chase. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Bangladesh losing 3 wickets for just 6 runs in a span of 14 balls.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das continued their struggles, while veteran Mahmudullah fought a lone battle with 41 off 39 balls. However, the required run rate soared as Bangladesh batters failed to keep pace, eventually managing only 135/9 in their 20 overs.
India’s bowlers, especially the spinners, were on point throughout the innings. Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek Sharma picked up crucial wickets, while Nitish Rana capped off the match with two late strikes to ensure Bangladesh had no chance of recovery. The all-round performance by India, led by Reddy’s batting and bowling (2/23), along with stunning fielding efforts, sealed the series win with one match to spare.
NITISH, RINKU POWER INDIA TO 221
Earlier, Nitish Reddy played the most exciting innings of his budding career, while Rinku Singh’s blistering half-century helped India set a daunting target of 221/9 in the second T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday. Reddy’s explosive knock of 74 off just 34 balls, laced with seven towering sixes and four boundaries, was the highlight of the Indian innings. The 21-year-old partnered with Rinku Singh (53 off 29) in a crucial 108-run stand for the fourth wicket, rescuing India from a precarious situation after an early top-order collapse.
Opting to bat first, India’s top order was rattled by Bangladesh’s formidable pace attack, led by Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Taskin Ahmed. The trio kept the Indian batsmen in check with variations in pace and sharp deliveries. Sanju Samson started brightly, taking 15 runs off the first over bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but his promising innings was cut short by Taskin Ahmed.
Abhishek Sharma also flashed moments of brilliance, smashing consecutive boundaries before a fiery 147 kmph delivery from Tanzim Hasan uprooted his off-stump. Suryakumar Yadav followed soon after, misreading a slower ball from Mustafizur and chipping a simple catch to Shanto, leaving India reeling at three wickets down inside the powerplay.
However, Reddy, playing just his second T20I, steadied the ship. He showcased his power-hitting skills, reaching his maiden fifty off 27 balls with a superb knock to long-on. His partner, Rinku Singh, complemented him with a quickfire 53, smashing five boundaries and three sixes, including a massive hit off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.
The pair shifted gears in the middle overs, with Reddy launching an all-out assault against Hossain, smashing three sixes in the 10th over to push India past the 100-run mark. His clean striking delighted the crowd, as he sent deliveries soaring over long-on and mid-wicket with ease.
Reddy’s valiant innings finally came to an end when Mustafizur, relying on his signature slower ball, deceived the youngster to claim a crucial wicket.