Highlights, India vs Bangladesh, Nidahas Trophy 2018, 2nd T20I at Colombo, Full Cricket Score: IND win by six wickets

Rohit Sharma, India captain: It was a great performance; it was clinical. We thought hitting the length will work on this pitch, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We kept things simple and did the basics right. I think there’s room for improvement in catching. Not an ideal day for us in the field; we are much better than that. Hopefully, we will not repeat that mistake.

Vijay Shankar, Man of the Match: I have been looking forward for this, have been working very hard on my bowling for last few overs. Lot of people inspired me. My parents and family have been with me throughout. Everyone in the dressing room is very supportive.

Mahmudullah, Bangladesh captain: I think its obvious that we didn’t bat well. We should have scored 30 more runs. But they executed well. Bowlers did pretty good job. I think we need to rotate the strike more often, because the dot balls are creating more pressure on batsmen. I think we are just one win away, if we get one win that will boost us up. We are still searching for that win.

This is India’s sixth consecutive win for India against Bangladesh in T20Is.

After 18.4 overs,India 140/4 ( Manish Pandey 27 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 2)

Rubel is introduced in the 19th over, and it turns out to be the last of the innings, as Pandey and Karthik rotate the strike between themselves to collect three singles and take their team home.

Most matches lost in T20Is:

49 – BANGLADESH*

49 – New Zealand, Sri Lanka 

48 – England 

46 – Pakistan

Good six-wicket win for India with 8 balls to spare. They needed the win after losing to Lanka in the first match. Puts them in the right frame of mind to take on Lanka again on March 12. Uphill task for Bangladesh to get back in the tournament. They haven’t looked convincing.

INDIA WIN BY SIX WICKETS! The ‘Men in Blue’ are finally off the mark in the tri-series, as they beat Bangladesh convincingly in the second game of the tournament! Pandey collects a single off the fourth delivery of the 19th over to bring up the winning moment!

Rubel Hossain returns to the attack in the 19th over of the innings. Should be the last over, with just three needed to win for India.

After 18 overs,India 137/4 ( Manish Pandey 25 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 1)

11 off Mustafizur’s third over of the innings, with Pandey collecting two boundaries off it, and the Indians are just three runs away from collecting their first victory of the tri-series. Pandey on 25 at the end of the over.

After 18 overs,India 137/4 ( Manish Pandey 25 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 1)

11 off Mustafizur’s third over of the innings, with Pandey collecting two boundaries off it, and the Indians are just three runs away from collecting their first victory of the tri-series. Pandey on 25 at the end of the over.

FOUR! India just one hit away from victory now, as Pandey smacks a back-of-length delivery through extra-cover to collect his third boundary. IND 137/4

Manish Pandey has good hands. He will glide the ball, play the glance or even slap it at will. A difficult batsman to bowl to and restrict run scoring.

Big wicket for Bangladesh, getting main stay Dhawan. Except that it might have come too late in the day with India needing just 17 runs for the win. Dhawan made a lovely 55 to show that he remains the main batsman in this Indian team.

FOUR! Deftly guided away to the third man fence by Pandey off Fizz, with the diving fielder near the boundary rope failing to prevent the boundary. IND 130/4

Mustafizur Rahman brought back into the attack in the 18th over of the innings.

After 17 overs,India 126/4 ( Manish Pandey 15 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 0)

Six runs off the 17th over, with Taskin returning to the attack and removing Dhawan for 55 in the over, with the opening batsman getting caught at long on after a mishit. Six off the over, with Pandey batting on 15 at the end of the over. India need another 14 to win from 18 balls.

OUT! And that’s the end of a fine innings from Dhawan, as he miscues while attemping a pull, giving Liton Das an easy chance at long on. IND 123/4

Dhawan c Das b Taskin 55(43)

Taskin Ahmed brought back into the attack in the 17th over of the innings.

After 16 overs,India 120/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 54 , Manish Pandey 10)

Another quality over for the Indians, with Pandey helping himself to his first boundary, with seven runs coming off the over. India need another 20 to win from 24 balls — which should ideally be a cakewalk.

FOUR! Pulled away by Pandey off Nazmul off the fourth delivery of the 16th over! First boundary for the new batsman. IND 119/3

Raina falls to a short-pitched delivery yet again. He’s struggling to hold on to the initiative when a fast bowler digs it in short. Today was no different. He helplessly jumped and jabbed at the ball. Caught at short mid-wicket.

After 15 overs,India 113/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 53 , Manish Pandey 4)

Rubel reintroduced into the attack in the 15th over, and he gets the wicket of Raina straightaway, as the latter chips a short ball straight into the hands of Mehedi at square-leg. New batsman Pandey walks out to bat, and gets off the mark straightaway with a double. Five runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Soft dismissal for Raina, as he chips a short ball straight into the hands of square-leg, giving Rubel his second wicket! IND 108/3

Raina c Mehedi b Rubel 28(27)

Shikhar Dhawan’s four of six fifty-plus scores in T20Is have come from his last eight innings.

Rubel Hossain returns to the attack in the 15th over. The game looks virtually over for the Bangladeshis at this stage, with just 32 needed off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand.

Another 50 for Dhawan. He’s really been the pillar of India’s batting in this tournament. Dhawan has not only been scoring heavily but also getting his runs in double quick time. This gives his partners more time and opportunity to play themselves in.

After 14 overs,India 108/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 52 , Suresh Raina 28)

Nine runs off the over, as left-arm spinner Nazmul Hasan gets introduced into the attack for the first time in the 14th over. Dhawan guides an overpitched delivery outside leg past the keeper, collecting a boundary to bring up his sixth T20I half century. Missed stumping chance off the next ball as the keeper fails to collect the ball cleanly after Dhawan shuffles down the pitch and misses.

FOUR! Dhawan helps this one towards fine-leg, and ends up bringing up his second consecutive half-century — as well as his sixth overall in the format — taking just 35 deliveries to get there! IND 104/2

Nazmul Islam introduced into the attack in the 14th over. He had been held back for so long due to the presence of two left-handers.

After 13 overs,India 99/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 47 , Suresh Raina 25)

Skipper Mahmudullah decides to have a bowl for himself in the 13th over. Raina comes back for a second run after guiding the ball towards the leg side, before collecting a single off the next delivery to bring up the fifty-partnership. Dhawan smashes the ball over the midwicket fence for his second six, with two singles collected off th next two deliveries. Dhawan nearing a second successive fifty! 11 off the over.

SIX! Stand and delivery from Dhawan! Rocks back and pulls the ball over the midwicket fence with ease! IND 97/2

Mustafizur has been impressive. Before being laid low by injury he was one of the best fast bowlers in the world in limited overs cricket. He had a bagful of variations that were difficult to pick. On the strength of his bowling today he seems to be back in business. Indian have been watchful against him.

FIFTY partnership up between Dhawan and Raina for the third wicket, with the duo helping ease nerves in the Indian dressing room after the dismissals of Rohit and Pant. Raina takes a single to bring up the milestone!

After 12 overs,India 88/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 40 , Suresh Raina 21)

Mustafizur returns to the attack. Dhawan chips the ball up in the air towards extra cover off the second delivery, with the ball landing safely beyond Tamim. Single collected off every delivery of the over except the fifth.

The Fizz returns to the attack in the 12th over of the innings. Can he get the breakthrough that the Bangladeshis so desperately need?

After 11 overs,India 83/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 38 , Suresh Raina 18)
 

Mehedi into his final over. Massive appeal for lbw on at least two different occasions — off the fourth ball and the last deliveries of the over. The Bangladeshis go upstairs on the second occasion, but the impact on pad is umpire’s call, as is the case with the ball hitting the stumps. Good over for Hasan though, as he gives away just two singles off it to sign off with figures of 0/21.

After 10 overs,India 81/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 37 , Suresh Raina 17)

Part-timer Soumya Sarkar introduced into the attack in the 10th over, with three singles and a wide coming off the over, before Raina heaves the ball over mid off to end the over with a boundary. India are going at more than eight an over at the halfway mark, and look set to grab their first points of the series.

The 10 overs has fetched India 81 for 2 a run rate 8 an over.

FOUR! Heaved over mid off by Raina off the last ball of the 10th over, as he moves to 17 with that inside-out shot! IND 81/2

Part-timer medium pacer Soumya Sarkar introduced into the attack in the 10th over.

After 9 overs,India 73/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 35 , Suresh Raina 12)

Mehedi into his third over. Massive appeal for lbw off the third delivery, with both the bowler and the keeper screaming in unison, though unsuccessfully. The two left-handers rotate the strike between themselves, with four singles and a leg-bye coming off this over. The partnership, in the meantime, is worth 33 already.

India are going at over 8 runs an over. This should make the rest of the game easier even for new batsmen.  The required run rate reduced to 6 an over.

Suresh Raina becomes the third Indian player to hit 50 sixes in T20Is after Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma.

Taksin’s faith in the short-pitched delivery on this pitch is looking foolish. Dhawan hooked the first one for a six and then pulled the second for a four. 13 runs from the over. India need 72 off 72 balls.

After 8 overs,India 68/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 33 , Suresh Raina 10)

Dhawan pulls a short ball from Taskin towards fine-leg, with the ball sailing over the fielder stationed there and into the rows. Dhawan then unleashes a short-arm pull off the next delivery, collecting his fourth boundary. Singles collected off the last three deliveries, with 13 coming off the over.

India’s most experienced pair of batsmen at the crease. Dhawan and Suresh Raina. Both enjoy batting in linted overs cricket and must now come together to give India a chance of making the final.

FOUR! Dhawan pulls this one towards the backward square-leg fence with a short-arm pull! IND 65/2

SIX! Pulled away by Dhawan over the fine-leg fence, and the fielder stationed there can just watch the ball sail over his head! IND 61/2

Taskin Ahmed returns to the attack in the eighth over.

Taskin Ahmed returns to the attack in the eighth over.

After 7 overs,India 55/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 21 , Suresh Raina 9)

Raina gets down on one knee, and slogs the ball over the wide long on fence to collect his first six of this innings, as well as his 50th in T20I cricket. Singles collected off the next two deliveries, with eight coming off the over.

India are not that far ahead in the powerplay overs. Bangladesh were 44 for 2. India are slightly better at 47 for 2. Could so easily have been 47 for 3 but for the dropped catch. BD pacers have bowled with greater intensity.

SIX! Raina gets down on one knee, and clears the wide long on fence with ease! Brings up the 50 for India in the process! Incidentally, this is Raina’s 50th six in T20Is. IND 53/2

After 6 overs,India 47/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 20 , Suresh Raina 2)

Rubel returns to the attack in the final over of powerplay, and strikes for his side straightaway as Pant drags the ball onto his stumps to depart for 7. Raina walks out to the crease, and sets off for a risky single off the first ball that he faces, nearly getting himself run-out at the non-striker’s end. Dhawan pulls majestically towards the midwicket fence off the third delivery. DROPPED! Raina flicks the ball towards leg gully, where Mehedi puts down the chance. Seven runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Pulled away towards the midwicket fence by Dhawan, who collects his third boundary! IND 45/2

Pant disappoints yet again. He was batting like the Bangladesh batsmen, trying to hit the cover off the ball. Bowled while going for a wild heave off Rubel.

BOWLED EM! Second batsman in this innings to depart by chopping the ball onto his stumps, with Pant going back to the dressing room in a manner similar to that of Rohit. Except the southpaw was looking for a slog towards leg on this occasion instead of a late cut. IND 40/2

Pant b Rubel 7(8)

Rubel Hossain brought back into the attack in the final over of powerplay.

After 5 overs,India 40/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 15 , Rishabh Pant 7)

Mehedi Hasan is introduced into the attack in the fifth over, with Dhawan getting down on one knee and sweeping him towards the long leg fence for a four. Seven off Mehedi’s first over, with three singles coming off the over aside from the boundary.

Mehdi Hasan the off spinner brought in to bowl inside the powerplay overs. BD looking for wickets. That’s the only way they can make a match of this.

Mehdi Hasan the off spinner brought in to bowl inside the powerplay overs. BD looking for wickets. That’s the only way they can make a match of this.

FOUR! Swept away towards the long leg fence by Dhawan! IND 38/1

Rishabh Pant’s batting strike rate in T20 cricket batting at No.3 is 165.07.

Spin introduced into the attack for the first time in the innings, with Mehedi Hasan set to bowl the fifth over.

Rishabh Pant thrown in at the top. Gives him lots of time to get  his eye in. Also make use of the powerplay overs and hit in the gaps. Good opportunity for him to shine in the international stage.

After 4 overs,India 33/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 10 , Rishabh Pant 5)

Change of ends for Mustafizur. Dhawan collects a single off the first ball, with a dot to follow. Rohit ends up chopping the ball onto his stumps while looking to guide the ball down to third man — not getting the room that he was looking for on this occasion. Promotion for Rishabh Pant as he walks ahead of the likes of Raina and Pandey today. Pant gets off the mark by squeezing a yorker over mid on to collect a boundary, before retaining the strike with a single off the last ball. Six runs and a wicket off Fizz’s second over.

FOUR! Impressive way for Pant to get off the mark, as he squeezes a full delivery from the Fizz, guiding it over mid on to get off the mark with a boundary! IND 32/1

Mustafizur was a magical bowler a couple of years ago. He bowled superbly in the IPL and was sought after in English county cricket and Big Bash. He was a success there too., But injury has set him back. He’s on a comeback. Lovely wicket to start with. Getting Rohit Sharma yet again with a delivery that crept back at him. Rohit bowled off the inner edge.

OUT! Another disappointing innings for Rohit, as he chops the ball onto his stumps after getting cramped for room! Rohit fails to make the most of a good start yet again. IND 28/1

Rohit b Mustafizur 17(13)

Superb delivery from Rubel. Lifted and left  Rohit at some pace. He’s hurrying up Rohit. India have had a good 3 overs.

Change of ends for Mustafizur Rahman, who replaces Taskin.

After 3 overs,India 27/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 9)

Rohit gets a thick outside edge off the first ball, that sends the ball down to third man, where it beats the running fielder to give Rohit his third boundary. Singles exchanged off the next two balls, with Rohit being roughed up with a vicious bouncer off the fourth. Single to Dhawan off the last ball, which would’ve been considered risky had it not been for mid on fumbling with the ball. Third consecutive over that yields the Indians nine runs without the fall of a wicket.

Shikhar Dhawan’s last four T20Is: 72, 24, 47, 90.

FOUR! This one’s edged off Rohit’s bat, runs towards the third man boundary and beats the running fielder to give the Indian skipper his third boundary. IND 22/0

Change of bowling, with Bangladesh using a third bowler in as many overs. Rubel Hossain replaces Mustafizur Rahman after just one over from the latter.

After 2 overs,India 18/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 11 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Taskin bowls from the other end, with Rohit going for a slog towards the cow-corner boundary for a one-bounce four to collect his first boundary of the evening. The Indian skipper gets another boundary for himself two balls later, slashing this one through point. Another good over for the Indians, with nine coming off it.

Rohit Sharma needs to see through the opening overs. White ball won’t swing for long. He can handle the BD pace, as he showed pulling Taskin to mid-wicket fence.

FOUR! Rohit was offered ample room on this occasion, and he had no problem slashing this one through point for an effortless stroke! IND 17/0

FOUR! Pulled away towards the cow-corner fence by Rohit off Taskin, collecting his first boundary! IND 13/0

Good opening over for India. Dhawan settling into his role. Mustafizur Rahman coming back into the game after a long injury break.

Taskin Ahmed bowls from the other end.

After 1 overs,India 9/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 2 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Good over for the Indians go get started, with Dhawan whacking the ball through cover point off a crisp cut to get himself off the mark. The southpaw guides the ball towards midwicket off the third delivery, coming back for a second run. Three singles off the over, including one to Rohit off the first ball to open his team’s account. Nine off the first over.

Rohit Sharma has bagged two ducks from his last five T20Is. Can he turnaround today?

FOUR! Dhawan gets off the mark in style with a boundary off his first ball, cutting this one powerfully through cover point! IND 5/0

The lowest total defended by Bangladesh in T20Is is 133 which they defended against U.A.E. at Dhaka in 2016.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan start off in India’s chase of the modest 140-run target, with Mustafizur bowling the first over of the innings. Advantage India ahead of the innings, and Bangladesh will certainly need luck to be on their side if they are to walk away with a win.

Bangladesh today:

1-6 overs: 44/2 (RR – 7.33)

7-15 overs: 63/2 (RR – 6.30) 

16-20 overs: 32/4 (RR – 6.40)

India lucky to get away so easily. The bowlers bowled 11 wides and  2 no balls. But Bangladesh didn’t capitalise on the wayward bowling. They played wild shots, ran poorly and failed to peg back the inexperienced bowling attack. A total of 139 is not expected to challenge the Indian batting.

After 20 overs,Bangladesh 139/8 ( Taskin Ahmed 8 , Mustafizur Rahman 1)

Thakur bowls the last over, and starts off with a dot. Taskin guides the ball down to long on off a yorker off the next delivery, and ends up running his partner out at the non-striker’s end after calling for a risky second run. Single off the third delivery, followed by a dot. Mustafizur guides the ball towards sweeper cover, although only for a single. Wide conceded off the last ball, as the ball appears to slip out of his grasp. Single to end what turned out to be a good final over, as Bangladesh finish on what can be viewed as a sub-par total on this surface. 

India need 140 runs from 20 overs to notch up their first win of the tri-series!

3 for 38 today is Jaydev Unadkat’s best bowling figures in T20Is. His previous best was 2 for 15 against Sri Lanka at Mumbai in 2017.

OUT! Rubel is run-out for a duck after facing just one delivery, as he fails to make it to the non-striker’s end on time after responding to Taskin’s call for a risky second. Sharp throw from Raina at long on, with Thakur parrying the ball onto the stumps. BAN 135/8

Rubel run out (Raina/Thakur) 0(1)

After 19 overs,Bangladesh 134/7 ( Taskin Ahmed 5 , Rubel Hossain 0)

A much better over for the Bangladeshis. Taskin carves the ball towards the wide long on fence at the start of the over, with the bat twisting in his hand while executing the shot. Two balls later, we have Sabbir pulling it towards deep midwicket for a six. Wide called off the penultimate ball, although this one was a slower ball that definitely pitched inside the line. Legitimate wide off the following delivery, with Sabbir getting a bottom edge off an overpitched delivery outside off off the penultimate delivery. Swing and a miss off the last ball. 13 runs and a wicket off Unadkat’s last over, as he finishes with an impressive haul of 3/38.

OUT! Sabbir’s dismissed off the penultimate ball of the 19th over, as Unadkat collects his third wicket. This one’s overpitched outside off, and Rahman gets a bottom edge while looking to carve it towards the off side. The explosive middle-order batsman tries reviewing it, but to no avail. BAN 134/7

Sabbir c Karthik b Unadkat 30(26)

The Indians have given away just two runs in the 18th over. Good work by Sharadul Thakur. In the last match he was clobbered for 27 runs in one over. He might not give away so many runs  in 4 overs in this match!

SIX! Pulled away by Sabbir towards the midwicket fence, where he just about manages to not only clear the rope but also the fielder running to his right. BAN 132/6

FOUR! Swing of the bat from Taskin, and this one’s dispatched towards the wide long-on fence off Unadkat! BAN 125/6

After 18 overs,Bangladesh 121/6 ( Sabbir Rahman 24 , Taskin Ahmed 1)

Thakur returns to the attack for the 18th, and bowls a brilliant over, one in which he uses a mix of different deliveries to keep the batsmen guessing, while giving away just two singles off it. Bangladesh’s run-rate is below seven right now, and they need two big overs if they are to get past the 150-run mark.

Bangladesh’s innings falling apart on their poor batting strategy. They want to go on only 1 gear — the top one. Their wild hitting has cost them too many wickets. Would have made more sense if their batsmen had worked a lot on running between wickets and then played big shots. At least it would have allowed them to preserve wickets to go after the bowling at the death. Now they’ll be lucky to get to 140.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s economy rate was above 9.00 in his last four T20I matches. Today, he conceded 4.75 runs per over.

Shardul Thakur back into the attack for the 18th over.

After 17 overs,Bangladesh 119/6 ( Sabbir Rahman 23 , Taskin Ahmed 0)

Sabbir cuts the ball away towards backward point off the second delivery of the over to collect his third boundary. Wide called for height off the fourth delivery, before getting Mehedi dismissed after the latter gets a top-edge that sends the ball high up in the air, and eventually into the palms of Pandey at long on. Out walks Taskin, and he is yet to get off the mark after facing a delivery in the over. Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Mehedi’s brief stay at the crease comes to an end, as he gets a thick top-edge while looking for a pull, resulting in a simple catch for Pandey at long on! BAN 118/6

Mehedi c Pandey b Unadkat 3(4)

FOUR! Cut away powerfully by Sabbir, as this one races away towards the backward point fence for four! BAN 116/5

Unadkat brought back for the slog overs. Bangladesh need some serious hitting from Sabbir at this stage.

Chahal strikes. Liton Das, after getting Bangladesh’s top score holed out to long off. They seemed to be in a good shape to attack in the death. But after that 35-run partnership Das threw it away.

After 16 overs,Bangladesh 111/5 ( Sabbir Rahman 17 , Mehedi Hasan 2)

Chahal returns to the attack for his final over, and gets his first wicket off the first ball as Das gets a thick edge off the toe end while looking for a slog towards midwicket, resulting in a simple catch for Raina at long off. Out walks Mehedi Hasan, the new batsman, as he gets off the mark with a single off the first ball that he faces. Four runs and a wicket off the over, as Chahal signs off with impressive figures of 1/19.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the only bowler who has taken 25-plus wickets in T20Is since 2017.

Bangladesh have labored hard to get to the innings’ 100.  They are going at 7 runs an over. Brilliant effort by Vijayshankar to race and dive for a return catch. But it was not to be. Great effort though. Bangladesh down to the last 5 overs. Struggling at 107 for 4 in 15 overs. Vijayshankar’s 9-ball 4th over finishes  with a boundary conceded. 11 runs from the over.

OUT! Das looks for a heave towards midwicket, but gets a thick bottom edge that sends the straight up in the air towards Raina at long off. Raina, having missed out on a catch earlier, isn’t one to drop dollies on a regular basis, and accepts this one. BAN 107/5

Das c Raina b Chahal 34(30)

Yuzvendra Chahal brought back into the attack in the 16th over.

After 15 overs,Bangladesh 107/4 ( Liton Das 34 , Sabbir Rahman 15)

Two singles collected off the first four deliveries, with Shankar keeping it tight. Rahman lobs the ball high up in the air towards midwicket after a mistimed shot, and Shankar nearly pulls off a stunner and calling out for the chance and running quite some distance, with Rahman collecting a double in the meantime. Two wides and a no-ball off the next three deliveries, making it a long over, with Rahman guiding the ball over short fine with a paddle off the free-hit at the end of the over, with 11 coming off it.

FOUR! Rahman goes for a paddle off a low full toss from Shankar, with the ball flying over short fine before running away to the boundary. BAN 107/4

Vijay Shankar brought back into the attack in the 15th over, with Bangladesh improving their scoring rate in the last two overs.

Couple of boundaries seem to have woken up the :Bangladesh batsmen. What a contrast from the way the Lankan batsmen went after the Indian bowlers the other day. Today Bangladesh have looked lost thus far. One of their better overs has been this 14th one bowled by Sundar. They got 11 off it.

Sabbir Rahman has not scored a fifty in his last 17 T20Is. The last time he scored a fifty was in Febraury, 2016 against Sri Lanka at Dhaka.

After 14 overs,Bangladesh 96/4 ( Liton Das 33 , Sabbir Rahman 8)

Das collects his third boundary with a slog towards the cow-corner fence at the start of the over, with two fielders converging but failing to stop the boundary. Das goes inside-out off the fourth delivery, and comes back for a single after the ball is collected near sweeper cover. Sundar switches to round the wicket off the fifth delivery, and starts off with the new angle with a wide. 11 off the over, with singles coming off the last two balls. Sundar signs off with figures of 0/23.

FOUR! Now Das gets a boundary for himself after a while, as he slogs this one between the fielders stationed at the midwicket and long on boundaries! BAN 89/4

After 13 overs,Bangladesh 85/4 ( Liton Das 25 , Sabbir Rahman 6)

Thakur returns to the attack. Das chips the ball over the bowler’s head, coming back for a second run after the ball falls in no-man’s land. Singles off the next two deliveries. Tight fielding by Dhawan off the penultimate delivery restricting Das to just a single. Rahman crunches the ball through extra-cover off the last ball for a four. 10 off the over.

FOUR! Crunched through the off-side by Rahman, and this happens to be the first boundary for the Tigers in more than 20 minutes! BAN 85/4

The average score batting first at Colombo (RPS) is 156 in T20Is.

Thakur, who got rid of Tamim Iqbal off the only over that he has bowled so far in the innings, returns to the attack.

Bangladesh’s strategy seems to be just wild hitting. Lots of dot balls as the balls are hit directly to fielders. Not too many singles and twos to rotate strike and keep pressure on fielders. Instead the batsmen are losing their wicket while going for big hits. They have made a mess of the middle overs.

After 12 overs,Bangladesh 75/4 ( Liton Das 21 , Sabbir Rahman 1)

New batsman Sabbir gets off the mark with a single off the third delivery of the over. Wide conceded off the fourth. Single to Das off the penultimate delivery, with a yorker to end the over. Just three runs off Sundar’s third over.

Bangladesh have never beaten India in a T20I match. They have played five and lost all of them.

Bangladesh seem to have targeted Vijayshankar. He has not helped his cause with no-ball and wide. He got a wicket when the batsman wildly went after a regulation delivery and snicked. The second wicket , with Mahmudullah snared at cover fence would have done his confidence good. Eventful over, no-ball, wide and wicket.

Sundar returns to the attack in the 12th over, with the Bangladesh losing too many wickets at this stage.

After 11 overs,Bangladesh 72/4 ( Liton Das 20 , Sabbir Rahman 0)

Big no-ball from Shankar off the second delivery of the over, which is followed by a wide going down leg off the free-hit. Just a singlefor Das off the subsequent free-hit, as the ball is cut off near deep midwicket. Mahmudullah perishes off the penultimate delivery after mishitting off an attempted inside-out slog, resulting in a simple catch for Thakur at deep cover. Das attempts a ramp shot off the last delivery, and misses. Three runs and a wicket off Shankar’s third over, and the pressure’s on the Tigers right now.

OUT! Bangladesh are crumbling right now, and Shankar is starting to reap the rewards for a disciplined approach so far in the innings. Mahmudullah goes for an ambitious inside-out slog, but doesn’t time it right, and ends up offering Thakur catching practice at deep cover. BAN 72/4

Mahmudullah c Thakur b Shankar 1(8)

The loss of wickets have hit Bangladesh hard. At the halfway stage they have lost three wickets and put together just 69 runs. Not good enough score, especially when they had 6 powerplay overs in those 10 overs.

BAN 69/3 from 10 overs (Liton Das 19, Mahmudullah 1)

Another good over from Chahal, as he gives away just three singles off the over, with Mahmudullah getting off the mark off the fourth delivery of the over. At the halfway stage of their innings, Bangladesh certainly seem to be lagging behind in terms of the run-rate, and will need a big partnership now at a rapid rate if they are to set a challenging target for the Indians.

That’s rubbing salt to Vijay Shankar’s wounds. Rahim played a lovely pull to mid-wicket for six. But the batsman got carried away with that terrific shot. Stepped out to throw his bat at the very next delivery and seemed to edge to wicket-keeper. Given out on Indian DRS. Bangladesh 66 for 3 in 8.5 overs.

BAN 66/3 from 9 overs (Liton Das 17, Mahmudullah 0)

Shankar into his second over, and he gets smacked for a boundary off the first ball, with Das making room for himself, and smacking the back-of-length delivery through extra cover! Three balls later, Rahim pulls a back-of-length ball over the midwicket fence for his first six! He departs the next ball however, as he gets an edge off the toe-end of his bat after shuffling down the pitch looking for another big hit. The Indians though, have to review this one to get the dismissal, as on-field umpire Lyndon Hannibal wasn’t sure of the dismissal initially. Dot off the last ball, as skipper Mahmudullah joins Das at the centre.

OUT! Rahim advances down the track looking for another big hit, but gets a faint nick off the toe end of the bat as Shankar adjusts his line to bowl it slightly wider, with keeper Karthik doing the rest behind the stumps. The umpire though, wasn’t sure of it initially, with the Indians successfully reviewing it. BAN 66/3

Rahim c Karthik b Shankar 18(14)

SIX! Stand and deliver from Rahim! Times his pull to perfection, with the ball landing in front of the scoreboard beyond the midwicket fence! BAN 66/2

FOUR! Shankar pitches one back-of-length outside off, to which Das makes room and smacks through extra cover for a four! BAN 59/2

BAN 55/2 from 8 overs (Liton Das 12, Mushfiqur Rahim 12)

Four runs collected off the eighth over, as Das and Rahim don’t quite get the room to go big in this over, thanks to the disciplined approach shown by Chahal. Both batsmen on identical scores of 12 at the moment.

Very unfortunate for Vijay Shankar. Good short-pitched deliveries. Poor catching by Raina and Sundar. Raina’s was an easy catch.

BAN 51/2 from 7 overs (Liton Das 10, Mushfiqur Rahim 11)

Liton Das lives dangerously in the over as Shankar gets introduced into the attack. Das gets a leading edge off the second delivery that lobs the ball over to the vacant midwicket region. Raina drops one between mid off and mid on off the next delivery after Das chips one while looking for a pull. Another pull by Das off the penultimate delivery, and another drop, as Sundar puts down a chance at fine-leg. Seven runs and two dropped catches off Shankar’s first over. The Tigers, meanwhile, cross the 50-run mark.

Chahal expensive in his first over, the last of the powerplay overs. Bangladesh made a fair 44 for 2 in the six powerplay overs. Not a great launch pad. But useful.

But Thakur still got his man. Tamim after slamming two boundaries was surprised by the bouncer. Thakur did not have a deep fielder at fine leg. So Tamim was not expecting the bouncer. Shot was off splice of bat. Mishit and lobbed to short fine leg. Good wicket at right time

Another bowling change, with medium-pacer Vijay Shankar bowling the first over after powerplay.

Sharad Thakur has bowled a tight over, not giving the batsmen width. Good lbw shout against Tamim. DRS saved the Bangladesh batsman. Ball had pitched outside leg stump

BAN 44/2 from 6 overs (Liton Das 5, Mushfiqur Rahim 9)

Chahal bowls the final over of powerplay, with new batsman Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease. The wicketkeeper-batsman smacks Chahal for back-to-back boundaries, with the first one coming off a switch-hit! Nine runs off the over, as Bangladesh get off to a mixed start in their first match of the tournament.

FOUR! Now back-to-back boundaries for Mushfiqur, as he smacks this one towards the midwicket boundary with a touch of authority! BAN 43/2

FOUR! Switch hit from Mushfiqur, as he smacks the ball away to the cover boundary off the fourth delivery that he faces! BAN 39/2

Yuzvendra Chahal given the ball for the final over of powerplay, with Mushfiqur Rahim the new batsman at the crease.

BAN 35/2 from 5 overs (Liton Das 5, Mushfiqur Rahim 0)

Thakur gets introduced into the attack in the fifth over, and he appeals successfully for lbw against the in-form Tamim off his third delivery. The opener goes for the review after a brief discussion with Das, and is saved as replays show the ball pitching outside leg. Tamim then smacks Thakur for back-to-back boundaries in retaliation, before top-edging off a slow bouncer to get caught by Unadkat at short fine-leg. Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Thakur finally gets Thakur three deliveries after getting his successful lbw appeal against the opener overturned. After getting smacked for back-to-back boundaries, Thakur digs one short to the southpaw, which invites a pull. Tamim, though, doesn’t time it and gets a top-edge, offering short fine a simple catch. BAN 35/2

Tamim c Unadkat b Thakur 15(16)

FOUR! Now back-to-back boundaries for Tamim, who advances down the pitch, slices the ball up in the air towards mid-off, but manages to send the ball away to the long-off fence nevertheless! BAN 35/1

FOUR! What a shot from Tamim! Smacked through the gap between extra-cover and mid-off on the up! First boundary for the opener! BAN 31/1

First change of bowling in the innings, with Shardul Thakur getting introduced into the attack in place of Jaydev Unadkat.

BAN 27/1 from 4 overs (Tamim Iqbal 7, Liton Das 5)

Tamim is stifled by Sundar off the first four deliveries of the over, with the tight cordon along the off side preventing him from scoring any runs. He guides the ball towards square-leg off a single off the penultimate delivery. Das gets down on one knee while shuffling to his right, and slog-sweeps the ball over short-fine, with the ball rolling away towards the unprotected boundary, giving the new batsman his first boundary. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! Das shuffles to his right, and goes for a slog-sweep that sends the ball over short-fine, and away to the boundary! BAN 27/1

Unadkat was under pressure in second over. Soumya played some fine aggressive strokes until he flicked uppishly to be superbly caught in the circle by Chahal. Good breakthrough for India. Soumya was looking to take the battle to the bowling side.

BAN 22/1 from 3 overs (Tamim Iqbal 6, Liton Das 1)

Tamim guides the ball towards deep square-leg for a single as Unadkat bowls his second over. Sarkar times his flick to perfection off the second delivery after getting the ball near his foot, resulting in the ball landing beyond the long leg rope. Mistimes his slog off the next delivery, but the ball lands safely beyond mid off’s reach, allowing him a couple of runs. His vigil comes to an end off the fourth ball, as he goes for another flick, but the shortened length results in a mishit that sends the ball straight to Chahal at short fine-leg for a low catch. New batsman Liton Das gets off the mark off the first ball that he faces with a single. 12 runs off the over, along with the wicket of Sarkar, as Unadkat finally has his wicket after the dropped chance in his previous over.

OUT! Sarkar’s gone after a good start! Unadkat fires this one once again along leg, although he drags his length back slightly. Sarkar goes for the flick once again, doesn’t time it, and ends up guiding it to Chahal at short fine-leg for a low catch. BAN 20/1

Sarkar c Chahal b Unadkat 14(12)

Terrible fielding confusion. Triangulated the skied shot off Jaydev Unadkat’s last delivery of first over. But none of the three fielders stuck his hand out. Third man Washington Sundar ought to have called. Manish Pandey’s running might have put him off.

SIX! Superbly timed by Sarkar! Unadkat fires this one full along leg, and Sarkar adjusts well for a flick that sends the ball over the backward square-leg boundary rope! BAN 17/0

BAN 10/0 from 2 overs (Tamim Iqbal 4, Soumya Sarkar 6)

Rohit decides to introduce spin from the other end, with Washington Sundar getting the ball earlier than expected. Fires one wide outside off at the start of the over, which is promptly dispatched towards the extra-cover fence by Sarkar. Those are, however, the only runs scored off the over as Sundar keeps it tight for the remainder of the over.

FOUR! First boundary of the innings! Too wide from Sarkar, and this one’s smacked away to the extra-cover fence with ease by Sarkar! BAN 10/0

Spin from the other end, with Washington Sundar bowling the second over.

BAN 6/0 from 1 over (Tamim Iqbal 4, Soumya Sarkar 2)

Unadkat bowls the first over, and straightaway gets some seam movement off the first delivery. Tamim flicks the ball towards the leg side off the second to collect a single — opening Bangladesh’s account. Sarkar gets off the mark with a single himself two deliveries later. Tamim runs the ball towards the midwicket fence, coming back for a third run. DROPPED! Sarkar mistimes an attempted slog, with the ball flying towards Sundar at deep backward point, but he is joined by two more fielders that results in utter confusion, resulting in the ball landing safely between the three of them. Six runs and a dropped catch from the first over, and Unadkat certainly isn’t happy.

India have gone for an unchanged playing XI and opted to field first. So pressure is off on its batsmen, especially in the middle order. They are not under pressure to get as many runs as possible. Chasing, though, brings another kind of problem. That of pacing the chase and targeting the right bowlers.

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar open the batting for the Tigers, with Jaydev Unadkat opening the bowling for Rohit Sharma and company. Let there be cricket!

Bangladesh XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

“I would’ve bowled first as Rohit had mentioned. We are going with five bowlers and six batters,” says Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah.

India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Washington Sundar, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal.

TOSS: India win the toss, and skipper Rohit Sharma opts to field first. 

Rohit: “Just thought the wicket got better and better in the previous game, and we thought why not use it to our advantage. It’s important to back our players, so we are going with the same team as the previous game.”

Pitch report: This is the different pitch from the one used for the opening game between India and Sri Lanka. Flat pitch and Brett Lee reckons 165-175 is the par score. His advice to the new ball bowlers: “Pitch the ball up in first six overs.”

Rishab Pant was not in the best of touch with the bat in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, in which he struggled to put runs on the board at an rapid pace. Pant will be wiser after the game and work on ways and means to up his strike-rate to at least 130, and he indeed is the chosen one, then he has between now and the World Cup to showcase and hone his skills, writes Vedam Jaishankar in his latest piece.

Nidahas Trophy 2018: Rishabh Pant needs to learn from his failure to stake his claim for the finisher’s role- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

In a freewheeling chat with our correspondent Amit Banerjee, Indian spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi compares Virat Kohli as a batsman and as a captain, and also shares his thoughts on the Nidahas Trophy tri-series, as well as its relevance in Indian cricket.

Bishan Singh Bedi interview: Virat Kohli hasn’t been tested as a captain yet, says Indian spin legend- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Do follow our live blog to stay tuned to the second match of the Nidahas Trophy, in case you don’t have access to a television and still want to stay updated. However, for those of you who have a TV set and are confused over the channel the tune in to, just click on the link below to find out.

Nidahas Trophy 2018: When and where to watch India vs Bangladesh 2nd T20I, coverage on TV and live streaming on JioTV- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Read Vaibhav Shah’s preview of the 2nd match of the Nidahas Trophy 2018, which starts off in a little over an hour from now.

Nidahas Trophy 2018: India look to find their stride against Bangladesh after stumbling in tri-series opener- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the second match of the ongoing Nidahas Trophy 2018, with India set to face Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo! While Bangladesh are gearing up for their opening game of the tri-series, India are smarting after a five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, and will be aiming to bounce back in this game with a win.