India extended their lead in the T20I series against Bangladesh with a commanding 86-run victory in the second match, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
After being put into bat by Bangladesh, India posted a formidable total of 221/9, led by a brilliant knock from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh. In response, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 135/9 in their 20 overs.
Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh’s batting brilliance
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India got off to a rocky start with Sanju Samson (10 off 7), Suryakumar Yadav (8 off 10) and Abhishek Sharma (15 off 11) falling cheaply. Rinku Singh (53 off 29) contributed valuable runs but it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who stole the show with a scintillating 74 off just 34 balls. His innings was studded with 4 fours and 7 towering sixes, giving India the upper hand after a slow start. Hardik Pandya added crucial runs with a brisk 32 off 19, while Riyan Parag chipped in with a cameo of 15 off 6 balls to help India cross the 200-run mark.
For Bangladesh, the bowling was a mixed bag. Taskin Ahmed (2/16) and Mustafizur Rahman (2/36) bowled economically, but others, particularly Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0/46) and Rishad Hossain (3/55), were expensive as India kept piling on the runs. Rishad, despite being the most expensive, managed to pick up key wickets, including the dangerous Hardik Pandya.
Bangladesh’s struggles with the bat
In response, Bangladesh never got going in their chase of 222. The Indian bowlers maintained pressure from the start, with Arshdeep Singh (1/26) and Nitish Reddy (2/23) leading the attack. Bangladesh’s top order faltered as Litton Das (14 off 11) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (11 off 7) failed to convert their starts. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali were dismissed cheaply, putting Bangladesh on the back foot early. Mahmudullah fought a lone battle for Bangladesh, scoring 41 off 39 balls with 3 sixes, but he lacked support from the other end.
Mayank Yadav, (1/30), Varun Chakravarthy (2/19) and Abhishek Sharma (1/10) ensured that Bangladesh’s middle and lower order couldn’t recover, and the visitors were eventually restricted to 135/9.
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Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Gods Plan 💪🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/CI15XKSLuO
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) October 9, 2024
Nitish Reddy 🔥🔥🔥
Wow! What a confident approach to pace up the innings. Brilliant.#INDvBAN #INDvsBAN— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) October 9, 2024
STANDING OVATION FOR 21-YEAR-OLD NITISH KUMAR REDDY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0yk95T2Vej
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 9, 2024
21 YEAR OLD NKR HAS ARRIVED. 🥶
– Nitish Kumar Reddy with a 27 ball fifty, the maiden half century in T20is by Nitish. From SRH to team India, he’s rocking. 🙇♂️🔥 pic.twitter.com/UPJoyG06ry
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 9, 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy is absolute fire, what a serious talent. 🌟🔥🔥
Reddy is Ready #nitishkumarreddy #INDvBAN #T20 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/no25lljPXK
— Santosh Reddy (@ReddyMinds) October 9, 2024
Fireworks came early courtesy Rinku Singh 🎇🧨 pic.twitter.com/Gv6MEX9HsD
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 9, 2024
Hardik Pandya takes a stunner near the boundary
📷: Jio Cinema#INDvBAN #T20I #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/EuUZYk5FEa
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 9, 2024
𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐮 went 🚀 in Delhi! 🔥 #RinkuSingh #INDvBAN #PunjabKing pic.twitter.com/3CIytVBX4J
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 9, 2024
Shot connected so well, Nitish Reddy achieved Nirvana. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y4DTYAOUOq
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 9, 2024
God’s Child 🙇♂️
Well played, Rinku Singh 🫡 pic.twitter.com/H5eNv5CESB
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 9, 2024
RINKU SINGH RESCUES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ensb3oAglO
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) October 9, 2024
Promoted Rinku Singh when India was in trouble and he rescued India🇮🇳🔥
Gautam Gambhir smiles says it all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ABUABhXWJW
— Brendon Mishra 🇮🇳🔥 (@KKRKaFan) October 9, 2024
Another emphatic win for India over Bangladesh 🔥#cricket #INDvBAN #T20I pic.twitter.com/OINa1ELEiX
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 9, 2024