It’s two wins in two Super 8 games as India swept aside Bangladesh in a comprehensive 50-run victory at Antigua on Saturday (June 22). 

The Men in Blue batted first and registered 196/5 in their 20 overs, headlined by Hardik Pandya’s ethereal unbeaten half-century (50* in 27 balls). He was ably supported by Shivam Dube (34) and Rishabh Pant (32) in the middle and at death.

HP would also shine with the ball as he opened the floodgates of India’s defence of 196, setting up the podium for Kuldeep Yadav (3/19), Jasprit Bumrah (2/13) and Arshdeep Singh (2/30) to restrict Bangladesh to 146/8.

Here is how India triumphed in Antigua.

50 in the powerplay

Just as the strong breeze flowed in at the venue in North Sound, India got their powerplay up and running with 53 runs in the powerplay. This was their best return in the opening six overs in the tournament since scoring 50/2 against Pakistan in the group stage.

Pant gets India past 100

At the crucial number three position, Rishabh Pant's composed cameo of 36 runs in 24 balls injected confidence into India's batting. With a strike rate of 150, Pant's four boundaries and two maximums propelled India to 108/4 in the 12th over, setting the stage for Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube to finish the innings.

Kung-fu Pandya, Dube fire India to 196

The middle-order duo of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, inspired by Rishabh Pant's performance, synergized their efforts to accelerate the Indian innings' final third and ending stages. Dube, on his part, hit three sixes in his 24-ball 34. As for HP, the star all-rounder finally announced himself - a half-century off 27 balls in 38 minutes at the crease at a strike rate of 185.18.

More so, this Kung-fu Pandya display was a full circle moment - HP got injured when bowling against Bangladesh at the 2023 ODI World Cup, a setback that forced him to miss several matches. Now, eight months later, he would unleash his hard-hitting persona on the Bangla Tigers, a testament to his resilience and determination.

This material innings of Hardik engineered India to 196/5, who asserted themselves in the driver’s seat at the onset.

HP, the complete player

While his batting fireworks shone brightly in the early morning hours of cricket at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Hardik continued his impressive bowling at the T20 World Cup by grabbing the first wicket of the Bangladesh run chase. His slower-length ball tricked Litton Das into chipping it over to Aapla Dada Surya at deep square.

Kuldeep’s wrong’uns floor BAN

Kuldeep Yadav’s maiden T20 World Cup campaign is going from strength to strength as he floored the Bangladesh batting order with his clinical spell of 3/19. First, he trapped Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy for LBW dismissals and then pushed Shakib Al Hasan to give away his wicket to skipper Rohit Sharma at extra cover.

Bumrah, Arshdeep join the party and seal the win

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh made their presence felt with their respective two-wicket hauls in the death overs. This meant the pair took their wickets tally to 10 (Jasprit) and 12 (Arshdeep), respectively, ensuring India had a virtual confirmation of a semi-final berth courtesy of the 50-run victory over Bangladesh.

Up next! A mouth-watering and crucial Super 8 encounter against Australia at Gros Islet. It is bound to be yet another classic AUSvIND affair, and it is an opportunity for the Men in Blue to make amends for the ODI World Cup heartbreak months ago. Come on Paltan, we have a lot to avenge!!

Brief scores: India 196/5 (Hardik Pandya 50*, Tanzim Hasan 2/32) BEAT Bangladesh 146/8 (Najmul Shanto 40; Kuldeep Yadav 3/19, Jasprit Bumrah 2/13) BY 50 RUNS.