Abhishek Sharma Shines with 75 As India Posts 168

India, having been requested to open, sailed on the brilliant 75 of Abhishek Sharma on only 37 balls, to achieve 168-6 in their 20 overs. The lefty was in fine form, and his boundaries and sixes towered over the bowlers to provide India with an ideal start.

Abhishek, together with Shubman Gill, started on a fast note with a brisk opening partnership. The two put on 77 runs within the initial seven overs and this way India made the most of the powerplay. Gill had made 29 out of 19 deliveries before his departure, but not before giving the much-needed impetus at the top.

Early dismissal of Shivam Dube delayed India temporarily, but Abhishek did not stop his attack, combining power and timing. His innings, which were interspersed with six fours and five sixes, put the Bangladesh bowlers under so much pressure. Nevertheless, his dismissal in the 12th over reversed the tide back to Bangladesh, and India lost wickets at frequent intervals after that.

The second half was then driven by Hardik Pandya, who hit a very good 39 out of 29 balls. His knock had four boundaries and a six, meaning that India rounded off the 160-run mark. The lower middle order, however, was unable to make the most out of the platform with the Bangladesh bowlers closing in on the final overs.

In the case of Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the star with a 2-27 score over three overs, which struck India at critical points. There was a disciplined turn by Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan Sakib as well, which prevented India from a total that is competitive and not unattainable.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (capt & wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

With 168 on the board, the spotlight now shifts to India’s bowlers as they look to defend the total. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will bank on their in-form batters to chase down the target in this high-stakes Super Four encounter.