Highlights, India vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I at Rajkot, Full Cricket Score: Rohit Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal power hosts to series-levelling win

Rohit Sharma is the Player of the Match for his blistering 85 off 43! 

Rohit: Both of those guys (Chahal and Sundar) are pretty smart and understand they’re bowling really well. More importantly, they analyse and always have a conversation with the bowling coach on where they can improve. Chahal has managed to get the team on top bowling in difficult conditions. Washi has been our new ball bowler, but today I wanted to change that and gave him only one over. I’m quite an emotional guy on the field. Some of the decisions in the previous and some of the on-field moments today, we were a bit sloppy. Ultimately aim is to get the job done, and sometimes we display a lot of emotions. Next time I’ll check where the camera is (laughs). We knew with the dew coming in, it will be slightly difficult for the bowlers. We had a good powerplay, and just carried on from that start. I knew the conditions were perfect. All I wanted to do was stay still and tonk the ball. It’s been very good so far, and just wanted to finish it off on a good note. Looking forward to that.

Mahmudullah, Bangladesh captain: I think it was very good wicket to bat on We were 25-30 runs short, 180 have been defendable. They started superbly and got the momentum. Credit to Rohit and Shikhar,especially the way they started. Wrist-spinner is always a good option. On a wicket like this, wrist spinner is a very handy bowler to have in your side and Chahal showed that. Aminul is a great find for us, the way he’s been putting effort. Hopefully he will continue. We need to assess the conditions when we go to Nagpur. We needed to be a bit more positive.

Yuzvendra Chahal chats with Harsha Bhogle at the end of the match. 

“We always speculate the dew, and know where to bowl (in such conditions). (On Pant’s folly behind the stumps) It happens. We are team players. Sometimes I drop catches as well. So you can say hard luck. (Bowling plan) I always plan what the batsman might do, whether he is picking my googlies or not. When you’re bowling in the death overs or in the powerplay, that gives you confidence,” says the leg-spinner from Haryana.

An eight wicket win to level the series. Much to do with Rohit Sharma’s blitz. There can be further improvements in fielding and bowling too, but for India will be happy to have levelled this series. Bangladesh will see this as an opportunity wasted but they have another chance to regroup in Nagpur on Sunday. For now, it was Rohit’s night and his knock helped the Men in Blue forget their experimental problems.

After 15.4 overs,India 154/2 ( KL Rahul 8 , Shreyas Iyer 24)

India win by 8 wickets with 26 balls to spare to level the three-match T20I series 1-1! Iyer and Rahul deal in singles in Mustafizur’s final over to get India home comfortably at Rajkot.

The match now heads to a decider at Nagpur on the 10th of this month!

After 15 overs,India 151/2 ( KL Rahul 7 , Shreyas Iyer 22)

Change of ends for Al Amin. Iyer glances the ball past the keeper to collect his second four, and bring India closer to the finish line. Displays some fine running between the sticks to collect a brace off the fourth ball. Another boundary to Iyer, this time off a solidly-timed punch through cover off the penultimate delivery, followed by a single for the Mumbaikar to keep the strike. 12 off the over. India need another three to win with five overs left.

FOUR! Punched through cover by Iyer, and that brings up the 150 for the Indians! Just one more hit to the fence is all that is needed to end the game. IND 150/2

FOUR! Nudged past the keeper by Iyer, and India are galloping towards the finish line. IND 144/2

After 14 overs,India 139/2 ( KL Rahul 6 , Shreyas Iyer 11)

Mustafizur brought in place of Al Amin. Single to Rahul off the first ball, followed by a sassy uppercut towards the third man fence that fetches Iyer his first boundary. Seven off the over. India need another 15 to win from 36 balls.

FOUR! Classy, absolutely classy from Shreyas, arching his back and uppercutting the ball towards the third man fence to collect a four. IND 137/2

After 13 overs,India 132/2 ( KL Rahul 4 , Shreyas Iyer 6)

Leg-spinner Aminul continues from the other end, and he celebrates once again, this time by dismissing Rohit 15 short of his century. Rohit went for the wild heave towards the leg side, but this time couldn’t clear the fence and was caught by the substitute Mithun near the boundary rope. Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat ahead of Pant, and smashes the ball over long on for a six to get off the mark in style. India need another 22 to win from 42 balls.

SIX! Stand and deliver from Shreyas Iyer, smashing the ball over long on for a maximum! IND 132/2

OUT! Not century for Rohit Sharma in his 100th T20I appearance, as he holes out to the man riding the midwicket fence to fall 15 short of the three-figure mark. Second wicket for Aminul Islam. IND 125/2

Rohit c sub (Mithun) b Aminul 85(43)

After 12 overs,India 125/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 85 , KL Rahul 3)

Al Amin returns to the attack in place of Mosaddek, conceding six from his third over, including a brace to Rohit off the penultimate delivery after guiding the ball past backward point. India need another 29 to win from 48 balls. Rohit needs another 15 for the big milestone.

After 11 overs,India 119/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 81 , KL Rahul 1)

Rohit runs the ball down the ground off the first delivery for a single, which is followed by Dhawan cutting the ball hard through point for a brace off the next. Dhawan chips the ball over the umpire’s head, collecting a single to bring Rohit back on strike. Rohit appears to get into position for a slog in the fourth delivery, but ends up collecting only a single down the ground. Bangladesh finally smile in what has been a trainwreck of a second innings, as Aminul breaches Dhawan’s defence to clip his leg stump and dismiss him for 31, bringing KL Rahul to the crease. Rahul gets off the mark as well as keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery. India need 35 to win from 54 balls.

Hitting five or more sixes most times in a T20I match:

9 – Chris Gayle

9 – Colin Munro

8 – ROHIT SHARMA*

Rohit Sharma now holds the record of hitting most sixes among Indian captains in T20Is, going past MS Dhoni (34).

Rohit Sharma now holds the record of hitting most sixes against Bangladesh in T20Is, going past Samuels and Waller (18).

OUT! Finally a reason for Bangladesh to smile after getting hammered all over the park. Dhawan’s defence is breached and his leg stump gets clipped, as Aminul Islam breaks the massive opening stand. IND 118/1

Dhawan b Aminul 31(27)

After 10 overs,India 113/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 79 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

Mosaddek brought in place of Afif. Rohit smashes a hat-trick of sixes off the first three deliveries,  bringing up the century stand with Dhawan in the process, and misses out on a fourth on the trot after getting an inside edge that results in a dot ball. Brace collected off the penultimate delivery, followed by a single off the last ball. 21 from the over. India need another 41 runs to win at the halfway stage in their innings.

Most century stands in T20Is:

4 – Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan*
3 – Martin Guptill/Colin Munro
3 – Martin Guptill/Kane Williamson
3 – Virat Kohli/Rohit Sharma
3 – David Warner/Shane Watson

SIX! Hat-trick of sixes for Rohit Sharma, this time over long on! What is the India captain up to now? Is he eyeing Yuvi’s feat? IND 110/0

SIX! Back-to-back big hits for Rohit Sharma off Mosaddek, and that brings up the century stand between the India skipper and Shikhar Dhawan! IND 104/0

SIX! Now Mosaddek is greeted with a Rohit Sharma pull shot that sends the ball flying high in the air, and over the midwicket fence! IND 98/0

Fastest 50s for Rohit Sharma in T20Is:

22 v WI, Lauderhill, 2016
23 v SL, Indore, 2017
23 v Ban, Rajkot, 2019*

After 9 overs,India 92/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 58 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

Just three singles given away by Aminul in his second over — an anomaly in what has been a display of fireworks so far. India need another 62 to win from 66 balls without having lost a single wicket so far.

Rohit Sharma in T20Is:

22 fifty-plus scores: Joint most alongside Virat Kohli 

6 fifty-plus scores as a captain: Joint most alongside Virat Kohli among Indians

23-ball fifty for Rohit. What a burn for Bangladesh at the moment. For the last 2-3 years, whenever India have had a must win situation in bilaterals at home, Rohit has always stood up and this is adding to the list. Dhawan’s slow motion has been negated. India motoring at the moment.

After 8 overs,India 89/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 56 , Shikhar Dhawan 27)

Spin from both ends now, with Afif being brought into the attack from the other side. Rohit brings up his half-century off just 23 deliveries, smashing the ball into the stands beyond midwicket off the first delivery. 13 off the over.

SIX! What a way for Rohit Sharma to bring up his half-century! Smashes this over the midwicket fence to bring up the milestone for the 18th time in 100 T20Is, taking just 23 balls. IND 82/0

After 7 overs,India 76/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 47 , Shikhar Dhawan 25)

Bangladesh continue to leak runs even as spin is introduced after the powerplay as Aminul Islam Biplob leaks 13 runs from his first over, including two fours to Dhawan.

FOUR! This time Dhawan picks the deep midwicket region to collect his second boundary of the over! IND 74/0

FOUR! First instance of spin in the day, Dhawan chooses to dance down the pitch and smash the ball perilously close to Aminul’s face, the ball then travelling like a rocket towards the long on fence. IND 68/0

After 6 overs,India 63/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 46 , Shikhar Dhawan 13)

Shafiul returns to the attack in place of Mustafizur. Rohit collects a boundary off the second delivery to bring up the fifty stand with Dhawan, and smashes the ball over the bowler’s head to collect his second six of the innings. Collects three off the last delivery off a paddle shot played towards deep square leg. Another big over for India, with 15 coming off it. India collect 63 runs from the powerplay at over 10 an over without losing a wicket. Need another 91 to win from 84 balls.

Most 50-plus stands in T20Is:

12 – Kyle Coetzer/George Munsey 
11 – Shikhar Dhawan/Rohit Sharma*
11 – Martin Guptill/Kane Williamson 
9 – David Warner/Shane Watson

SIX! Majestic! Rohit lofts this over the bowler’s head for another maimum! The ball lands bang on the advertising cushion this time, requiring a second look for the umpire to confirm his decision. IND 60/0

FOUR! Full outside off, and driven past the man at point! And Rohit Sharma brings up the fifty opening stand for India, a partnership in which he has clearly played the dominant role, contributing with 36 runs. IND 52/0

After 5 overs,India 48/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 32 , Shikhar Dhawan 12)

Another quality over for the Indians, with 11 coming off Al Amin’s second over, including back-to-back fours to Rohit off the first two deliveries. India have so far made the most of the helpful batting conditions and fielding restrictions.

FOUR! Back-to-back fours for Rohit off Al Amin, this time opening the face of his bat and beating short third man! IND 45/0

FOUR! Rohit guides through the vacant backward point region, the ball then racing away to the fence unhindered! IND 41/0

After 4 overs,India 37/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 22 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Rohit bosses Mustafizur in this over, collecting back-to-back fours off the first two deliveries before tonking the ball straight down the ground for a maximum off the fourth. Single off the last delivery. 15 off the over.

SIX! Rohit takes a couple of steps forward, and tonks this straight down the ground for a maximum! IND 36/0

Every time India go out to bat, there is a keen eye on what the top-order does in terms of strike-rate. Dhawan is the one most in focus. He strikes at 109-ish in 10 T20s in 2019 before this match. That’s not good enough.

FOUR! Back-to-back fours for Rohit Sharma now, this time driven past the man at cover! IND 30/0

FOUR! Lofted towards the mid off region by Rohit off Mustafizur. Not exactly well hit by the Indian captain, but lands beyond the fielder’s reach nevertheless and races away to the fence. IND 26/0

After 3 overs,India 22/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 7 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Al Amin now in place of Fizz, as Mahmudullah brings in a third bowler in as many overs. Concedes a wide down the leg side off the third delivery. Both Dhawan and Rohit collect a single each. Three off the over, a much better one from Bangladesh’s perspective.

After 2 overs,India 19/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 6 , Shikhar Dhawan 10)

Rohit brings out his favourite pull shot, this time to welcome Shafiul into the attack, guiding the ball behind square to open his account. The pacer slips while landing during his delivery stride before the third delivery, and looks ruffled for a bit. Doesn’t require medical attention though, much to Bangladesh’s relief. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Rohit brings out his famed pull shot, this time to welcome Shafiul into the attack as well as to open his account. IND 15/0

After 1 over,India 11/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 0 , Shikhar Dhawan 8)

Bad start for The Fizz, as he concedes back-to-back wides while bowling to Rohit, followed by a leg bye. First runs off the bat are collected off the fourth delivery as Dhawan charges down the track and launches the ball through extra cover. Makes it consecutive fours next ball, thanks to a misfield at mid on. 11 off the first over.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for the southpaw, this time a misfield at mid on resulting in the ball running all the way to the fence. IND 11/0

FOUR! Dhawan charges down the track and smokes it through extra cover to get off the mark with a boudary! IND 7/0

Rohit Sharma’s last five T20I innings at home:

9, 9, 12, 5, 4

Right then, we’re back with the chase. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to open as usual, the former only the second cricketer to make 100 appearances in men’s T20Is, and he will hope to collect a big score today after the blip in Delhi. Mustafizur Rahman to open the bowling.

Bangladesh today:

First 10 overs : 78/1 (RR – 7.80)
Last 10 overs : 75/5 (RR – 7.50)

So 154 the target for India. Feels similar as in Kotla… India were 20 short there and given the start Bangladesh had today, they are definitely 15-20 short here. Chahal bowled a superb spell but it was Sundar who pulled things back first. Chahar was good too. Much improved showing with the ball today for India. Now it is about the batting. Much will be dependent on how the top order starts but the middle order needs to pull through.

After 20 overs,Bangladesh 153/6 ( Mosaddek Hossain 7 , Aminul Islam 5)

At one stage Bangladesh looked good for 180, especially after the aggressive start they had. A great powerplay and a decent first 10 overs but spinners led by Yuzvendra Chahal India were able to pull things back. India will need 154 to level the series and take it into the decider, they should be able to get to the total on a surface that is very good for batting and with the amount of dew present it will be a tough ask for Bangladesh bowlers. The tourists will feel they are at least 25 runs short. See ya after a short interval.

FOUR! Wow! Brilliant stuff. Aminul Islam goes across his stumps and scoops a full ball over Rishabh Pant’s head for a boundary. Did extremely well to create that shot of a full ball, he almost fell over towards the tramlines outside the off stump.

After 19 overs,Bangladesh 144/6 ( Mosaddek Hossain 4 , Aminul Islam 1)

Another excellent over from India’s point of view. Deepak Chahar with an efficient penultimate over. Just four runs from the over with the big wicket of Mahmudullah, that more or less implies, Bangladesh’s chance of 170 are completely vanished, now even reaching 160 looks a tough ask.

OUT! Mahmudullah is undone by Chahar’s smarts. A slower bouncer to the batsmen who was charging down the wicket, he has to alter his shot and he tries to ramp it over the slip region but with absolutely no pace on offer he can only lob it towards short third man where Dube dives forward to take the catch

Mahmudullah c Shivam Dube b Chahar 30(21)

After 18 overs,Bangladesh 140/5 ( Mahmudullah (C) 29 , Mosaddek Hossain 2)

Chahal with a commendable over. Lot of slow, loopy leg breaks, interspred with couple of well-disguised googlies. Hossain or Mahmudullah both unable to unfurl a big shot, in fact couple of runs came via inside edges. Tantalizing stuff from Chahal to end the over. Brillant from the leg-spinner to bowl the 18th over, giving just four runs – 4-0-28-2 his figures

After 17 overs,Bangladesh 136/5 ( Mahmudullah (C) 27 , Mosaddek Hossain 0)

Khaleel does procure his first wicket but he does give away three boundaries, extending his expensive day with the ball. Mahmudullah looking good to take Bangladesh close to 170.

FOUR! Slower ball from Khaleel but the length is the problem. Mahmudullah opens the face of the bat, plays it late to steer it into the same gap wide of short third man.

FOUR! Another ball, another boundary. Short of a good length, angling into Mahmudullah who waits on it and cuts it through the gap between short third man and point.

OUT! A change up from Khaleel and that results in a wicket. Hossain looks to come down the wicket and tries to make room to slice it away, but doesn’t get his timing right, the ball goes high into Rajkot’s night sky and Rohit was not very confident under the ball but he holds on and that’s what matters for India.

Afif Hossain c Rohit b Khaleel Ahmed 6(8)

FOUR! Khaleel comes back into the attack and starts with a customary boundary. Of course, it is a short ball from Khaleel and with the fine leg up in the ring it was always a poor delivery. Mahmudullah pulls it past short fine leg for a boundary.

After 16 overs,Bangladesh 123/4 ( Mahmudullah (C) 14 , Afif Hossain 6)

Chahar returns to the attack. Couple of twos in the over and Mahmudullah upsets Chahar’s length by coming down the wicket and helping himself with the first boundary of the innings.

FOUR! Crashed! Mahumudullah identifies the need to step on the gas, he charges down the wicket and smashes it through covers for a much-needed boundary.

After 15 overs,Bangladesh 112/4 ( Mahmudullah (C) 6 , Afif Hossain 3)

Krunal Pandya comes into bowl his second over. He bowls another wide in the over, third in two overs, but he keeps it down to six runs only. With that the fifth bowlers’ quota is also over. Krunal: 2-0-17-0 and Dube: 2-0-12-0 which is nothing but 4-0-29-0, Rohit and India will take that on most days.

After 14 overs,Bangladesh 106/4 ( Mahmudullah (C) 3 , Afif Hossain 1)

Shivam Dube is called back into the attack. Good thinking by Rohit to bring his sixth bowler into the attack when Bangladesh have lost couple of wickets. Only three runs from the over. Two new men in the middle for Bangladesh.

Massive moment that. Pandya holds on this time and Chahal has the wicket he should have had in Kotla. Either way, Rahim is gone and that’s a huge blow to Bangladesh hopes of breaching 170-180.

After 13 overs,Bangladesh 103/4 ( Mahmudullah (C) 1 , )

Massive over from India’s point of view with Chahal claiming two wickets in an over. He has easily been the pick of the bowlers here. Bangladesh’s strong start is pegged by the Chahal’s smarts. Drama once again around Pant’s stumping but this time all is good as the decision went in India’s favour. The slow motion camera providing a good view of Rohit Sharma’s lips which means Ben Stokes’ twitter will be ringing in again.

OUT! Chahal with another wicket. He is turning it on for India. Sarkar runs down the wicket and Chahal bowls it slower through the air, it was the googly as well. Rishabh Pant stumps and the TV umpire has some work again, again the question is not regarding the batsman making his ground it was if Pant collected it cleanly. Third umpire Anil Chaudhary taking the mickey out of Pant there. He seemed to have pressed the green light with NOT OUT flashing on the big screen before the error is quickly rectified but for a moment or more Pant and the Indian team had their hearts up their mouth. Sarkar was turning back to bat again untill the fourth umpire told him about the confusion. 

Soumya Sarkar st Pant b Chahal 30(20)

Most wickets in India in T20Is:

39 – Rashid Khan
25 – YUZVENDRA CHAHAL*
24 – Jasprit Bumrah

OUT! No magic for Mushfiqur today. Fullish delivery on off stump and Rahim bends to unleash the sweep. Doesn’t catch it from the middle of the bat and the fielder at deep midwicket takes a simple catch. Chahal lets out a big roar

Rahim c Krunal Pandya b Chahal 4(6)

After 12 overs,Bangladesh 97/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 25 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 4)

Expensive over from Krunal to start with. He concedes a six early in the over and in order to keep it away from the left-hander’s range he ends up bowling a couple wides as well. He begins with 11 runs from the over. Bangladesh closing on the 100-run mark.

SIX! Krunal saw Sarkar jump down the crease and dragged it wide of his reach outside off stump but Sarkar reaches out for it and has stupendously managed to slam it over long-off for a maximum.

After 11 overs,Bangladesh 86/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 18 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 2)

Washington’s first ball is shellacked for a boundary by an audacious Soumya Sarkar but Washington gets his first wicket later in the over. Washington ends his quota with 25 runs off his four overs. Eight runs and a wicket from it.

Naim’s wicket should take out some sting from the Bangladesh momentum. Still marching along at almost 8/over. Anything above 160 could be challenging for India’s light weight batting.

OUT! Naim holes out.

 Washington gets reward for some good bowling. Naim doesn’t get the power behind his slog behind over deep midwicket, the fielder has to come in and take a comfortable catch. 

Naim c Shreyas Iyer b Washington Sundar 36(31)

FOUR! What a shot! Soumya Sarkar is able to connect the reverse sweep really well. He gets into the position rather early and lines himself as a right-hander, takes it from outside the leg stump and plays the reverse sweep aerially, the ball bounces just short of the backward point fence.

After 10 overs,Bangladesh 78/1 ( Mohammad Naim 36 , Soumya Sarkar 12)

Shivam Dube is given a go with the ball. His second ball is not the best of short deliveries and that was rightly dispatched to the boundary by Sarkar. Nine runs come from the over, and at the end of first half of the innings, Bangladesh will believe they are in a strong position. Nicely set up for the back end of the innings.

FOUR! Shivam Dube digs it short and at his pace it gives Sarkar enough time to stay on the backfoot and he cracks it to mid wicket fence.

After 9 overs,Bangladesh 70/1 ( Mohammad Naim 36 , Soumya Sarkar 4)

Washington Sundar quietly keeps doing the good job of keeping the flow of runs in check. Tidy over from the offie. Naim and Sarkar add five runs to the total.

After 8 overs,Bangladesh 64/1 ( Mohammad Naim 31 , Soumya Sarkar 3)

A bizarre miss early in the innings that gave Liton Das a new lease of life then a strange way to get out. India have the wicket they wanted albiet after conceding few extra runs. A wicket and five runs from the over. Soumya Sarkar joins Naim in the middle.

Almost as if Liton was trying just as hard to get dismissed

And a comedy run-out. This has been a bizarre game so far. Just threw his wicket away #INDvBan

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) November 7, 2019

Oh yes he can. Comedy of errors. Pant runs out Liton Das. Huge lbw appeal and why did Das run out of his crease? Just stay in there. Either way India have a breakthrough and they really needed that one.

OUT! India finally has a breakthrough and Rishabh Pant is once again in the centre of the action. Loud shout for a leg before shout as Chahal slips in a wrong’un and Das misses his flick and he starts running down the pitch without knowing where the ball was. He might have been unsighted there a little. The ball had just rolled down the pitch towards the on side. Pant aborts his appeal for leg before hares towards the ball, turns and hits the stumps to catch him way short of his ground.

Liton Das run out (Pant) 29(21)

After 7 overs,Bangladesh 59/0 ( Liton Das 29 , Mohammad Naim 29)

Another chance for India goes down begging. Liton Das miscues his sweep high up in the air but even with three men circling none of them could grab it. Rohit Sharma did go for the catch but ended up dropping it. Liton thanks his star again. Five off it.

After 6 overs,Bangladesh 54/0 ( Liton Das 26 , Mohammad Naim 27)

Rishabh Pant has fluffed a big chance in the over as Bangladesh continue to take advantage of it. Spare a thought for Chahal, who bowled a brilliant delivery but didn’t have a wicket to his name because Pant was a little too early. Couple of boundaries after that. End of powerplay and Bangladesh openers have scored at 9 runs an over.

FOUR! More pain. Short ball from Chahal and Liton Das goes back and pulls it through mid wicket for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! Liton Das rubs salt in Chahal and India’s wounds. Pant must be devasted. Liton simply lifts it over mid on for a straight boundary off the free-hit.

Too much eagerness from Rishabh Pant behind the stumps and has got the better of this situation. India miss an opportunity to halt the flow of runs. Could be a big miss considering the start Bangladesh have got. Is there anything Pant can do right at the moment?

As if his batting form wasn’t worrying enough

Pant’s ‘keeping coming under greater scrutiny

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 7, 2019

NOT OUT! More criticism heading Rishabh Pant’s way, this time for his keeping. Firstly, it was a beautiful delivery from Chahal, he had tossed it up around off and Liton dances down the track and aims to go aerial straight down the ground. He was way away from the ball and Rishabh Pant whips the bails off. He was on his way until the umpire asked him to wait as they check the point of collection from Rishabh Pant and guess what the wicket-keeper has pouched the ball just before it had past the stumps. A marginal call but this is a school boy error. Liton Das was way down the track, Pant had all the time in the world, but he is a little too early. Big miss for India. Liton to bat on. Free-hit coming up…

After 5 overs,Bangladesh 41/0 ( Liton Das 15 , Mohammad Naim 26)

Khaleel Ahmed’s second over of the day doesn’t start well either. Couple of boundaries in the over. Khaleel has given 24 runs off his first two overs. Naim has been very attacking towards Khaleel from the word go.

FOUR! This particular boundary cannot be held against Khaleel Ahmed. This was pitched up comparatively and Naim opens the face of the bat a touch and slices it past the keeper for a boundary. It was half an edge

FOUR! Oh dear! The change of ends has absolutely no impact on Khaleel’s fortunes. He has once again dropped it very short and Naim does what he does the best. Hangs on the back foot and slaps it past mid-wicket for another boundary

After 4 overs,Bangladesh 31/0 ( Liton Das 14 , Mohammad Naim 17)

Rohit switches to spin as Washington Sundar comes on to bowl. Khaleel needs to rethink his plans. Washington bowls one absolutely flith that was send to fine leg boundary allowing Bangladesh to collect easy singles along with it. This has been a superb start for the visitors.

Expensive start for India. Khaleel leaking runs as expected. Really hasn’t shaped up even after one year of international cricket. India might need to move on from him after this series. Meanwhile wickets and control of runs needed at this hour.

FOUR! Rank poor delivery from Washington. It was nice full toss around the thigh and Liton gets across and puts it behind short fine leg for a boundary

After 3 overs,Bangladesh 24/0 ( Liton Das 9 , Mohammad Naim 15)

Chahar slips in a tight over, controlling the damage done in the previous over upto a certain extend. However, the first ball of the over was a brilliant punch off the back foot from Liton, that was placed perfectly but the cover fielder gave it a chase and was able to pull the ball back into play just before the boundary, keeping it down to three. Chahar lines four dots to Naim, who is able to pick a single of the final ball. Just four runs off the over.

India still a solid T20I side when it comes to chasing at home

Teams at Home - Win% in Chases in T20Is since 2016

India - 80%
West Indies - 71%
England - 67%
Pakistan (in UAE & PAK) - 67%
Australia - 60%
South Africa - 56%
Sri Lanka - 50%
New Zealand - 44%
Bangladesh - 40%#INDvBAN

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) November 7, 2019

After 2 overs,Bangladesh 20/0 ( Liton Das 6 , Mohammad Naim 14)

Naim hacks three boundaries off Khaleel’s first three balls putting the young bowler under the pump straightaway. He didn’t have the best final over in the last game and now this. A mini comeback of sorts from the left-hander bowler by managing to keep it down to two runs in the second half of the innings. Naim is off to a flyer.

FOUR! Khaleel’s start is going from bad to worse. Three boundaries in a row for Naim. Khaleel keeps holding the length back and Naim rocks on his back foot and pulls it wide of the diving mid on fielder, who himself was slightly wide from the traditional position.

Not a very happy reading for a bowler trying to cement a place in the side

Khaleel Ahmed last 7 balls
4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4#IndvsBan

— JSK (@imjsk27) November 7, 2019

FOUR! Once again a touch short of a length by Khaleel and Naim is on the attack, he goes for the pull, wasn’t in full control but manages to get it behind square leg

FOUR! Khaleel Ahmed comes into bowl and he has been welcomed with a disdainful smack. It was just slightly short of good length and Naim flat bats it past Khaleel, that was surprisingly timed so well. It went past Khaleel even before the bowler could react. No chance for mid off.

After 1 overs,Bangladesh 6/0 ( Liton Das 5 , Mohammad Naim 1)

Deepak Chahar starts from the pavilion end. He is just getting a little shape away from the right hander. Das steers it past point off the second ball to get Bangladesh underway. Naim is off the mark with well-judged quick single to mid on. It was turning out to be good first over, until Chahar slipped the last ball on the pads that was worked away to square leg boundary.

FOUR! Just a little off line and Chahar has been made to pay. The ball was slanting on middle and leg and Liton glances it off his lefs, the ball hares away to the square leg fence.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bangladesh have won four of their last five T20Is while batting first.

India at SCA Stadium, Rajkot in T20Is:

Won v Australia, 2013
Lost v New Zealand, 2017

Alright, it is time for LIVE action. Chance for Bangladesh to create history and win their first-ever series in India. The openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim walk out to the middle. One slip in place for Deepak Chahar.

First Indian player to play 100

Tests : Sunil Gavaskar, 1984
ODIs : Kapil Dev, 1987
T20Is : Rohit Sharma, 2019

MILESTONE ALERT

Rohit Sharma becomes the second player to feature in 100-plus T20Is after Shoaib Malik.

High-scoring game on the cards?

Excellent conditions in Rajkot. Pitch expected to be full of runs. Maybe some dew. Good toss to win. #IndvsBan

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 7, 2019

India XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed

100th T20 for Rohit Sharma. And he will be looking to impress with the bat, big match player that he is. 

Otherwise India are changed. Interesting to note an unchanged bowling line up. Bit of spotlight on Khaleel Ahmed, needs a good performance to continue justifying his spot. 

Bangladesh are unchanged as well.

Bangladesh XI: Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah(c), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain

So the weather has cleared and we will have play… India win the toss and bowl first. Virat Kohli had earlier said they will look to bat as much as possible. Guess winning is equally important as experimenting for the T20 World Cup. 

Series’ decider in a way. Bangladesh on the cusp of history.

Mahmudullah, Bangladesh captain: Wicket does look very good, very hard as well. I would like to (have bowled first). I think it is very good opportunity for all us (on winning the first their series in India). Lot of young players in the side. Our youngsters have good potential and will hope to continue to do the good work. No changes in our side.

Rohit Sharma: Rajkot track has always been a good one to bat on, though I can see few cracks. Think there may be dew later, so life will be easier for the batsmen. We are aware of the stats of our poor chasing record, but that’s not why. We just want to do something different from the last game. Priority is always to win the game first. The set of boys we have are new and I want to make them comfortable. No changes in the playing XI.

Toss: Mahmudullah calls heads and its a tail. India win the toss and Rohit Sharma elect to field.

We are minutes away from toss time. Stay tuned!

Record alert for HITMAN!
 

Rohit set to become second Indian after Harmanpreet Kaur to play 100 T20Is! 

.@ImRo45 is all set to play his 100th T20I tonight. Watch the Hitman share his thoughts on his memorable journey so far - by @28anand #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/niSC8Gg0ZQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 7, 2019

Sunny and warm in Rajkot

Landed in Sunny and Warm Rajkot....thought a weather update from Ground Zero might be of some interest ☺️🤗 #IndvBan @StarSportsIndia #Rajkot

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 7, 2019

Rishabh Pant is a “one-trick pony”, believes former Australian cricketer Dean Jones. Pant is under fire for his lack of consistency with the bat, his 26-ball 27 in Delhi marked by his inability to accelerate the team’s run-rate, and eventually succumbing to a miscued slog down the ground. Jones believes the India wicket-keeper batsman needs to work on his strokeplay if he is to silence his critics. More on that here .

India’s seven-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the smog-hit Delhi T20I once again raised questions over the Men in Blue’s approach to the shortest format of the game, a format in which they are ranked fifth in the world at the moment as compared to the top two in the other formats. How they respond in the do-or-die clash at Rajkot, and whether the Bangladeshis — whose victory comes right after the player strike and in the absence of two of their biggest stars — can carry over the momentum from Delhi will be the main focus. More on that in the match preview by Jigar Mehta.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2nd T20I between India and Bangladesh at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The series scoreline currently reads 1-0 in favour of Bangladesh, who rode on an unbeaten half-century from Mushfiqur Rahim to register their first-ever win over the Men in Blue in the format.