Deepak Chahar registered the best ever figures by a bowler in T20 internationals as India beat Bangladesh by 30 runs to clinch the three match series 2-1 at Nagpur on Sunday. Chahar also took a hat trick, which means Indian bowlers have achieved that feat in all three formats of the game (Shami against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup and Bumrah against the West Indies in the 2nd test on India’s tour of the Caribbean) this year- quite a remarkable achievement.
The Tigers lost wickets in clusters (12/1 and 12/2, 110/3 and 110/4, 126/5 and 126/6, 144/9 and 144/10) and couldn’t quite capitalize on the platform given to them by opener Mohammad Naim’s splendid 48 ball 81.
India made one change for this winner-takes-all clash by including Manish Pandey in place of Krunal Pandya, while Bangladesh dropped Mosaddek and brought in Mohammed Mithun.
Here are our talking points from yesterday’s fixture.
1. Dropped catch costs Bangladesh dear
Bangladesh had picked up both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan cheaply, and could’ve had India three down before the end of the powerplay- Shreyas Iyer was dropped by Aminul Islam at backward point on 0. Iyer cashed in on the opportunity by scoring a masterful 62 off 33 balls, and together with Lokesh Rahul was able to repair the early damage caused by Shafiul Islam and guide India to a competitive total of 174/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Mohammad Mithun’s ill-timed shot
India’s decision to include Manish Pandey in the XI meant they had only five bowlers. On form, their two best bowlers were Deepak Chahar and Yuzvendra Chahal, and the latter was struggling with the wet ball. It meant that Chahar was Rohit Sharma’s go-to man, and he bowled just one over in the powerplay, instead of the two or three that he normally sends down.
At the end of the 12th over, Sharma brought Chahar back for his second. Bangladesh were well-placed at that stage, needing about 9 an over, with eight wickets in hand. When the wiser strategy would’ve been to see off Chahar and target the rest, Mohammad Mithun went for an ill-advised slog on the last ball of the over. Mithun, who took 28 balls for his 27, not only failed to kick on, but brought the pressure on Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, both batsmen who need a bit of time get going.
Bangladesh collapsed in a heap after that Mithun shot, and allowed India to wrest back control of the game.
3. Deepak Chahar’s record-breaking figures
Chahar broke various records in this game- he not only took a hat trick, but finished with unbelievable figures of 6/7, the best ever by a bowler in T20 internationals.
His ability to deliver under pressure would not have gone unnoticed by the selectors, and at this stage, he has all but guaranteed his spot for the Indian T20 World Cup squad next year.
Yuzvendra Chahal struggled with the wet ball, but picked up the key wicket of Mahmudullah to end any slim hopes Bangladesh might have entertained of winning this. The dismissal also saw the leggie become the fastest Indian to 50 wickets in T20’s, beating the previous record held by Jasprit Bumrah.
4. Mohammad Naim’s sparkling 81
Mohammad Naim struggled at the beginning- he was 3 (8) at one stage, and his slow start was probably the reason for Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar’s wickets. Aware that he had to make amends, Naim went after the Indian bowling and his 81 (48) almost took Bangladesh home.
Spin had been regarded as a potential weak point for Naim before the start of the innings (he was striking at only 67 against them), but he was particularly severe on Yuzvendra Chahal in this game.
The ingredients of a good batsman appear to be there with Naim, and his performances in this series should see him get more opportunities with the national side.
5. A successful outing with the ball for Shivam Dube
This was a pressure game for Shivam Dube- he had to bowl his quota of four overs with Krunal Pandya having been axed. He went for 23 in his first two overs, but recovered to take out Delhi match winner Mushfiqur Rahim and the dangerous Mohammad Naim in the same over.
While Dube may not have passed his audition with the bat, this spell with the ball would’ve done him a world of good.