MS Dhoni's India pulled off their third succesive win to become the first team into the WT20 semis.
MIRPUR: There may be turbulence and confusion all around and possibly even within, but MS Dhoni’s India blocked out the noise to become the first team into the semifinals of the World T20, on the back of their third successive win in the competition – over Bangladesh – on Friday. This is the first time since they won the inaugural World T20 in 2007 that India have made it into the knock-out stage of the event.
Having restricted the hosts to a moderate 138/7 after sending them in, courtesy of another seasoned show of spin, India were untroubled as they reeled in the target with eight wickets and nine balls to spare. Rohit Sharma (56) and Virat Kohli (57*) ensured once again through a century-stand that those that followed were not really required to turn up. The duo had combined for a match-winning 106 against the West Indies. On Friday, they added precisely 100 in 74 balls after out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan’s woefully early dismissal. By the time Rohit fell to a tame shot off a full-toss, India were well on their way to sealing a semifinal spot.
Kohli's mature half-century followed knocks of 36 not out and 54. But the winning runs came off the bat of skipper Dhoni, in the cross-hairs for allegations and counter-allegations of his involvement in the IPL imbroglio, who had walked in for a bit of a hit in an event he was yet to bat in. If Dhoni was perturbed, he did not show it. The cool customer helped himself to a 12-ball 22 including two sixes, of which the second brought India a win in the 19th over.
ANOTHER TOSS WIN
Dhoni had earlier won his third toss in as many matches and elected to field with an unchanged side, which meant that a forlorn Yuvraj was still in and Ajinkya Rahane still out. India’s spinners had been exceptional in the last two games. This was to be no exception. Man of the Match Ashwin (2/15) brought in the early breakthroughs, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra, MOM in the last two matches, provided the finishing touches with a teasing spell for three wickets, two snared in a niggardly last over in which he conceded just seven.
Both the spinners bowled with courage and and were unafraid to toss it up. Ashwin, who began in the second over, rendered insignificant Shikhar Dhawan’s missed run-out of opener Tamim Iqbal with a sharp turner that was edged to slip. The off-spinner took his second next ball when the new man, Shamsur Rahman, pulled him sweetly but straight into the hands of deep square-leg.
ANAMUL IMPRESSES
Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan played on horrendously to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and only through Anamul Haq’s fluid 44 did Bangladesh regain some semblance of balance. Anamul was exquisite driving on the up over cover, a shot that was best illustrated when he made room and tonked Shami – again India’s most expensive bowler on view – over the off-side.
Anamul and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (24) added 46 before Mishra bowled the former with gorgeous googly in the 13th over. That Bangladesh reached 138/7 had a lot to do with Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 33. The all-rounder went after Shami and even pulled a six against Mishra’s leg spin. With Nasir Hossain (15) as his sleeping partner, Mahmudullah hurried the hosts on with 49-run alliance. But he stood a mute spectator at the other end when Mishra bowled a superb last over and thwarted Bangladesh’ push towards 150, which, considering India's batting clout, may not have been enough either.
Having restricted the hosts to a moderate 138/7 after sending them in, courtesy of another seasoned show of spin, India were untroubled as they reeled in the target with eight wickets and nine balls to spare. Rohit Sharma (56) and Virat Kohli (57*) ensured once again through a century-stand that those that followed were not really required to turn up. The duo had combined for a match-winning 106 against the West Indies. On Friday, they added precisely 100 in 74 balls after out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan’s woefully early dismissal. By the time Rohit fell to a tame shot off a full-toss, India were well on their way to sealing a semifinal spot.
Kohli's mature half-century followed knocks of 36 not out and 54. But the winning runs came off the bat of skipper Dhoni, in the cross-hairs for allegations and counter-allegations of his involvement in the IPL imbroglio, who had walked in for a bit of a hit in an event he was yet to bat in. If Dhoni was perturbed, he did not show it. The cool customer helped himself to a 12-ball 22 including two sixes, of which the second brought India a win in the 19th over.
ANOTHER TOSS WIN
Dhoni had earlier won his third toss in as many matches and elected to field with an unchanged side, which meant that a forlorn Yuvraj was still in and Ajinkya Rahane still out. India’s spinners had been exceptional in the last two games. This was to be no exception. Man of the Match Ashwin (2/15) brought in the early breakthroughs, while leg-spinner Amit Mishra, MOM in the last two matches, provided the finishing touches with a teasing spell for three wickets, two snared in a niggardly last over in which he conceded just seven.
Both the spinners bowled with courage and and were unafraid to toss it up. Ashwin, who began in the second over, rendered insignificant Shikhar Dhawan’s missed run-out of opener Tamim Iqbal with a sharp turner that was edged to slip. The off-spinner took his second next ball when the new man, Shamsur Rahman, pulled him sweetly but straight into the hands of deep square-leg.
ANAMUL IMPRESSES
Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan played on horrendously to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and only through Anamul Haq’s fluid 44 did Bangladesh regain some semblance of balance. Anamul was exquisite driving on the up over cover, a shot that was best illustrated when he made room and tonked Shami – again India’s most expensive bowler on view – over the off-side.
Anamul and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (24) added 46 before Mishra bowled the former with gorgeous googly in the 13th over. That Bangladesh reached 138/7 had a lot to do with Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 33. The all-rounder went after Shami and even pulled a six against Mishra’s leg spin. With Nasir Hossain (15) as his sleeping partner, Mahmudullah hurried the hosts on with 49-run alliance. But he stood a mute spectator at the other end when Mishra bowled a superb last over and thwarted Bangladesh’ push towards 150, which, considering India's batting clout, may not have been enough either.
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