Highlights, India vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I at Delhi, Full Cricket Score: Rahim's unbeaten 60 guides visitors to 7-wicket win

Mushfiqur Rahim, MoM: Nothing like playing an innings like that when we were playing in front of a huge crowd, and when the team needs it. Nothing like beating India in India, so this means a lot to me. Soumya and I had a chat, and we thought of dragging the game deep, and any of the quicks could have been targetted for 15-20 in an over because the spinners got a lot of assistance so it was hard to hit them. Nayim also played really well to start with. I’m trying my best to evolve as a cricketer, and I will try to perform in each and every game for Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur Rahim is the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 60*

Mahmudullah, Bangladesh captain: It was all based on how we start. All the bowlers chipped in. Good thing was out fielding, we fielded well, it gave us momentum going into batting. Captaincy was made easy because of the guys. Rahim deserves the credit, Sarkar and he held their nerves and batted well. It was a good match to win.

BCCI President thanks the teams!

Thank u to both the teams to play this game @ImRo45 @BCBtigers under tuff conditions .. well done bangladesh ..

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) November 3, 2019

Rohit Sharma: Not to take credit away from Bangladesh. They played well and put us under pressure right from the start, they were pretty smart with the bat as well. It was a defendable total but we made mistakes on the pitch. The guys are a bit inexperienced, and they can learn from that, perhaps not make them the next time. It was a mistake (reviews) from our side to not talk about it. First we thought was going down leg and second we thought was high. We weren’t upto the mark on the field, but batting-wise I think we put up a competitive score. Chahal was always welcomed into this format. He’s crucial to this team, and he showed how important he is in the middle overs, when the batsmen are set.

Soumya Sarkar: We are very happy. Everyone was thinking positive. They gave their 100 percent. We knew if we give our best, we can beat India. We miss Shakib but we have to think positive and do well.

And it’s over. What a way to finish off in style. Rahim exults with raised arms. Bangladesh lead 1-0. Who would have thought after a tumultuous time leading into this series. India were out batted and out bowled here, and have a lot to think in their lead-up to the World Cup. They are missing some key bowlers of course, but that batting line-up is not getting any better even if it was missing Virat Kohli.

This is the first time that Bangladesh have defeated India in a T20I match.

Bangladesh win by 7 wickets and Mahmudullah brings the victory in style, big six over long on. This is their first win in T20Is against India. Rahim screamed in ecstacy and why not, this win is special for all that has happened in past few weeks. Rahim played so well for his 60 off 43 balls.

Wide! Dube sees Mahmudullah walk across and bowls one down the leg stump line, this has been called wide. Scores level, 1 needed off 4.

Ball 2: Mahmudullah hits to leg side and collects 2 but after a lot of effort, could have been a run out if there was a better throw at batting end. 2 needed off 4.

Last over, Ball 1: Dube bowled down the leg stump line, Mahmudullah came down the track and missed to connect the ball. Dot. 4 needed off 5.

4 needed off 6 and Rohit has thrown the ball at Shivam Dube.

And fifty up for Rahim… what a knock this has been. Three fours on the trot and absolutely has smashed Khaleel in this over. Speaking of whom, apart from the left-arm angle, don’t think Khaleel has offered much to Indian cricket over the last year. Time to move on in the next series. And as I type, another four, which puts the game out of reach for India…

After 19 overs,Bangladesh 145/3 ( Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 60 , Mahmudullah (C) 7)

18 runs off the over. Could you believe it? Rahim has hit 4 fours off the last four balls to bring the equation down to 4 off 6. India have played poor cricket in last 2 overs. Dropped catches and poor bowling.

FOUR! Same kind of delivery, the wide of off stump and Rahim puts bat on ball to fetch four at third man.

FOUR! This time Khaleel bowls a low full toss at wide of off stump, and Rahim hits it for four runs to third man.

FIFTY! What a shot to bring it up, Khaleel bowled fuller and Rahim knew about it, he went across the stumps and scooped it for four runs. Fifty for him.

FOUR! Bad ball, short and slow, Rahim expected that and plays his favourite shot, the pull to fetch four runs at fine leg.

After 18 overs,Bangladesh 127/3 ( Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 43 , Mahmudullah (C) 7)

Chahal returns. He is gutted as his good work is yet again spoiled by bad effort in the field and that too by a decent fielder like Krunal, at this stage of the game. 13 off the over and he had bowled so well. Bangladesh need 22 runs in 12 balls. Anyone’s game from here. Nail-biter in the making.

FOUR! Mahmudullah goes big over the extra cover and and hit it in the deep, Manish Pandey gives a chase from wide long off but to no avail.

FOUR! Scenes at Kotla, Krunal has dropped a sitter, Rahim went for slog sweep off Chahal and it went straight to Krunal, who made a mess of it and it went for four off the bounce.

After 17 overs,Bangladesh 114/3 ( Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 37 , )

Khaleel pulled for six off the first ball. Came back well with a slower, which beat Rahim all ends up. Missed the off stump by inches actually. The dots created pressure on Sarkar who eventually ended up chopping one on to his stumps. India get the third wicket. Three overs left. Mahmudullah joins Rahim as Bangladesh need 35 in 18.

OUT! Slower ball from Khaleel has done the trick, wicket to wicket line and it was slow in pace, Sarkar chopped it on to his stumps. Fall of third wicket. Soumya Sarkar b Khaleel Ahmed 39(35)

SIX! Great start to the 17th over. This shot was on, Bangladesh needed a move on and Rahim got a short ball from Khaleel, he pulled well for a six

After 16 overs,Bangladesh 105/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 37 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 30)

Krunal continues, bowls wide of the off stump to Sarkar and bowls fuller to Rahim. Krunal has bowled a good over at a very crucial time. The fifty-run stand has come up between Rahim and Sarkar for the third wicket. Bangladesh need 44 runs in 24 balls.

After 15 overs,Bangladesh 99/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 34 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 28)

Khaleel returns to the attack and bowls a very tight over. Just 5 off it under pressure. Bangladesh on and off when it comes to scoring boundaries. Six in the last over, no boundary in this over. Pressure mounting. Bangladesh need 50 runs in 30 balls.

Chahal applied the brakes really well. But Rahim has played a fabulous hand here. Bangladesh hold the upper hand going into the death overs of this innings. India searching for some inspiration.

After 14 overs,Bangladesh 94/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 34 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 25)

Krunal was looking to bowl wide of the off stump to Sarkar. The batsman spoiled this plan by going across and then hitting him for a six over deep mid-wicket. Krunal has been poor today. No creativity whatsoever. 12 off the over. Bangladesh need 55 runs in 36 balls.

SIX! That is big from Sarkar, Krunal goes wide of the off stump, away from the batsman and the batsman hits it over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a six.

After 13 overs,Bangladesh 82/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 24 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 23)

Sundar comes into the attack and he is bowling as per the situation, following the batsman and not giving room to hit the ball. Very intelligent. Just 4 off the over. He completes his quote. 25 without any wicket in his four overs.

After 12 overs,Bangladesh 78/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 22 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 21)

Rahim collects a boundary on the first ball of the over. He has been sweeping well. This maybe put Chahal off and he tried some other things than sticking to the plans implemented in the earlier two overs. He has been finally cracked by Bangladesh. 9 off the over.

FOUR! Rahim sweeps again and he is playing this shot so well as expected, this time he takes on Chahal and gets a boundary at 45.

After 11 overs,Bangladesh 69/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 21 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 13)

Krunal is not helping India’s cause. Chahal displaying leg-spin mastery at one end and Krunal leaking runs at the other end. Rohit need to maybe bring Sundar back on from Krunal’s end. India need wickets. 7 off the over.

FOUR! Swept for four runs. Krunal wayward, on leg stump line and fuller, Rahim sweeps and sweeps well for four to fine leg.

After 10 overs,Bangladesh 62/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 20 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 7)

A leg-spinner’s dream delivery to Rahim on the first ball of the over by Chahal. That beat Rahim all ends up, pitched on middle leg and spun away. Next delivery there was a run out chance as the batsman wanted to go to the bowling crease desperately. From thereon, Chahal bowled googlies after googlies, one actually trapped Rahim in front of stumps but the umpire turned it down and Rohit did not take the review only to lament later. Two balls later, Pant asked Rohit to go for an inside edge review and India lost it as there was no edge whatsoever. A great over by Chahal yet a terrible over for India.

After 9 overs,Bangladesh 61/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 20 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 6)

Another bowling change as Krunal comes into the attack. Rahim is looking busy and is not wasting much time to play his shots. Krunal was hit for a four in the over, Rahim opted to go for reverse-sweep to negate the spin. It is turning at Kotla and this is a good sign for India on this slow wicket. 7 off the over.

FOUR! Rahim takes on Krunal, goes for reverse sweep and connects it well to fetch four runs

After 8 overs,Bangladesh 54/2 ( Soumya Sarkar 19 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 0)

Yuzvendra Chahal, right-arm leg break, is into the attack now and he starts off with a wicket. Bowls four dots, creates pressure on Naim who goes for a big shot and loses his wicket. Mushfiqur Rahim now joins Sarkar in the middle. India break the stand and are now back in the game.

OUT! Pressure created on the batsman and then he attempts a big shot. Chahal came into the attack and created pressure by bowling four dots, Naim went for a ugly heave on the penultimate ball of the over and ended up getting caught at deep in the leg side. Naim c Dhawan b Chahal 26(28)

Bangladesh making a chase of this one. Some dew about which is starting to impact the bowlers and Mohammad Naim is driving the innings here. Leg spin in now and no surprises.

After 7 overs,Bangladesh 53/1 ( Mohammad Naim 26 , Soumya Sarkar 18)

Khaleel into the attack and he was welcomed with a boundary. He responded with a bouncer in a typical fast bowler’s fashion. Bowled well from thereon, changed his pace well. Bangladesh go past the fifty-run mark as well. 8 off the over.

FOUR! Khaleel Ahmed comes into the attack and Sarkar welcomes him with a boundary over the covers.

After 6 overs,Bangladesh 45/1 ( Mohammad Naim 25 , Soumya Sarkar 12)

This is a counter-attack from Bangladesh batters and they are right back in the game. 12 off the last over and 13 off this one. Rohit does not look a happy man as one catch flew some inches away from him at first slip. A second slip would have just done the job for India.

FOUR! Missed chance for India, edge off Naim’s bat, and it flew through vacant second slip for four to third man boundary.

SIX! Now Sarkar joins the fun, reverse-sweeps Sundar for a maximum over third man boundary. Top shot.

After 5 overs,Bangladesh 32/1 ( Mohammad Naim 20 , Soumya Sarkar 4)

Chahar has bowled well but strays in line every now and then and gets hit. Naim hit that six off him, which will boost the batsman’s confidence and then a lovely smash through the off side for four runs later in the over. Good over for visitors. 12 off it.

FOUR! Length ball from Chahar and Naim smashes this through covers for four runs.

SIX! Massive shot, on the legs by Chahar and Naim picked it up and hit it for six over deep square leg.

After 4 overs,Bangladesh 20/1 ( Mohammad Naim 8 , Soumya Sarkar 4)

This is beautiful from Sundar, he varying his pace now. Debutant Naim is under pressure to find the gaps. Sarkar is not too confident as well, almost fell into the trap of the bowler on the last ball. Just 4 off the over. Required rate is over 8.

After 3 overs,Bangladesh 16/1 ( Mohammad Naim 5 , Soumya Sarkar 3)

Chahar’s brilliance lies in his ability to seam it both ways and he is tricking the batsmen with this skill of his. Has got his line against the lefties. Just 3 off the over. India off to just the start they wanted.

Did you know? 

The lowest total defended by India in a T20I match is 138 against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2016.

After 2 overs,Bangladesh 13/1 ( Mohammad Naim 4 , Soumya Sarkar 1)

Washington Sundar, right-arm off break, will bowl from the other end. Two left-handers at the crease and Sundar bowling from round the stump to them. Variations in length from Sundar as expected. The slow nature of the pitch is already in his favour. Just 4 off the over.

After 1 overs,Bangladesh 9/1 ( Mohammad Naim 1 , Soumya Sarkar 0)

Liton Das started off very positively but he went overboard while playing the push through the off side. No Tamim so there was an added responsibility on him but he has faltered quickly. India will be relaxed as Chahar was not looking at his best. He still needs to quickly improve his line. Soumya Sarkar joins Naim in the middle.

OUT! First wicket for India. Liton Das gone, Chahar bowled an outswinger and it came slightly slow off the pitch. Das was in two minds while playing this uppish push and ended up getting caught at point. Liton Das c Rahul b Chahar 7(4)

FOUR! Brilliant shot from Das, just a push to the leg side as Chahar strayed in his line and he collects his and Bangladesh’s first boundary.

Alright, we are back with the chase. Deepal Chahar, right arm pace, to bowl the first over for India. Liton Das and Mohammad Nain to open innings for visitors.

India today:

1-6 overs: 35/1 (RR – 5.83)

7-15 overs: 60/3 (RR – 6.67)

16-20 overs: 53/2 (RR – 10.60)

Smashing hits from Krunal and Sundar in the final over gets India closer to 150, but again, just about par considering they have ample spin options. 53 runs in the last five overs, so slogging is not an issue. It’s the innings’ building that is not upto the mark at the moment.

While you cannot blame Pant for that dismissal (you cannot criticise him every time), India’s batting plan on first strike is being exposed again. The pitch is stopping a bit but at Delhi, even on a slow wicket, 140-odd is not a par score. India need a batting rethink, especially batting first.

After 20 overs,India 148/6 ( Krunal Pandya 15 , Washington Sundar 14)

SIX! Another big shot. This time from Krunal Pandya which goes over square leg. 16 off the last over and India finish their innings with a competitive total. Bangladesh need 149 to win.

SIX! Brilliant. Sundar with valuable runs here. A length delivery on off and Sundar stood tall to play it straight over the long off boundary

After 19 overs,India 132/6 ( Krunal Pandya 8 , Washington Sundar 7)

Shafiul into attack and a productive over for India in which Pant also departed. The wicketkeeper-batsman went for a pull shot to wide of long on but failed to get the desired connect as fielder took the catch in deep. Krunal then added a boundary with a smart shot over circle fielders on off while Washington Sundar finished the over with a six over long on. 14 from the over.

SIX! Big shot. Washington Sundar just dispatched the short ball over wide of long on with a powerful pull shot off Shafiul

FOUR! Smart thinking by Krunal. The fielders on off were in the circle and Krunal smartly placed the short ball from Shafiul over them to get a much needed boundary

OUT! Pant c Naim b Shafiul 27(26) 

It’s quite difficult to play the big shots on this pitch and Pant pays the price this time with a pull shot to wide of long on. Couldn’t get the force behind his shot and found the fielder in the deep.

After 18 overs,India 118/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 25 , Krunal Pandya 3)

Just one boundary in the over. India need more but the slower deliveries are making it difficult for them. Pant got the boundary with a pull shot as Al-Amin decided to bowl a short ball, which hung in the air and gave Pant enough time to play the shot. Eight off the over.

FOUR! A slow bouncer by Al-Amin. Bounced quite a lot and Pant had enough time to swivel as he pulled it over the keeper’s head

After 17 overs,India 110/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 20 , Krunal Pandya 1)

Mustafizur into attack and concedes a boundary to Pant, who is looking good now. The ball was short and wide, had some pace on it and Pant was quick to cut it through square on off. Krunal Pandya is the new batsman. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Pant looking confident now. There was some pace on the ball, was wide and Pant utilised it with a shot through square on offside

After 16 overs,India 102/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 13 , )

Shivam Dube’s batting debut got over in four deliveries and Afif is having a great day. Dube was looking to nudge the flat delivery to midwicket but the ball slowed down and waited on him as the leading edge lobbed back to Afif who timed his jump perfectly to take a good catch. Seven off the over.

OUT! Shivam Dube c and b Afif Hossain 1(4) 

Not a good batting debut for Dube. Was looking to nudge the ball to midwicket but the slow nature of pitch deceived him. The ball waited on him and the leading edge flew to the bowler.

FOUR! Short and wide delivery by Afif. Pant makes most of it by cutting it on off from the back foot. Welcome boundary for India.

After 15 overs,India 95/4 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 7 , Shivam Dube 0)

India lose a well set batsman in Dhawan due to Pant’s eagerness. He played a shot to midwicket, called for a double and sent Dhawan back during the second run who eventually fell short of his crease to be run out. Dhawan had hit a six in the over earlier. 10 off the over.

RUN OUT! Dhawan run out (Mahmudullah/Rahim) 41(42) 

Absolutely horrific running by Indians. There was no double there as Pant played a push to midwicket area but he wanted it. He called for it and Dhawan came down the track, was sent back late by Pant and eventually fell well short of his crease as the bails were whipped off.

SIX! Maximum from Dhawan’s bat. First for him tonight. He shimmied down the track to get to the pitch of the ball and tonked it over the bowler’s head

After 14 overs,India 85/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 34 , Rishabh Pant (W) 5)

Excellent over by Afif. Just two from it and this will build more pressure on India with fag end fast approaching. The highlight of the over was the offspinner which drew Pant forward and spun away to the keeper.

After 13 overs,India 83/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 33 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain now called into attack and gives away a welcome boundary to India with a half-tracker which was put away to mid-wicket fence by Dhawan off back foot. Singles added as well. Eight off the over.

Rishabh Pant strike rate in T20Is:

1st innings : 94.33
2nd innings : 137.57

FOUR! Mosaddek Hossain gives away a boundary in his first over. Half-tracker on offer and Dhawan rocks back to put it away to mid-wicket fence

After 12 overs,India 75/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 27 , Rishabh Pant (W) 2)

Off-spinner Afif Hossain called into attack. India have two left-handers in the middle and this is where Iyer would have been crucial. Good start for the tweaker. Just two from the over. Pant refused a single on last ball with striker Dhawan halfway down the ground. The veteran won’t be happy.

Just past the halfway mark and India have lost Shreyas Iyer. 34-run partnership which stabilised the innings. But batting first and putting up a par-plus score has been India’s problem. It will be tested again. Not to mention Rishabh Pant has a lot to prove as he begins playing international cricket again, after almost a month.

After 11 overs,India 73/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Big wicket for Bangladesh and Aminul in the over. Iyer departs for 22. He could have been a big danger considering his familiarity with the ground but got out trying to dispatch a tossed up delivery over long off. Wasn’t in complete control and paid the price for not reaching to the pitch of the ball. May be it’s Rishabh Pant’s day, who is now out in the middle. Four off the over.

OUT! INDIA LOSE IYER

 Shreyas Iyer c Naim b Aminul Islam 22(13) 

Iyer spotted another opportunity with Aminul tossing it up again but couldn’t control his shot completely and ended up placing his shot into the hands of Naim at long off. Paid the price for not getting to the pitch of the ball.

After 10 overs,India 69/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 23 , Shreyas Iyer 22)

Iyer has taken up the role of aggressor here, after all he plays IPL for Delhi and knows the ground pretty well. Made most of a full toss by SS by thrashing it through midwicket for a boundary. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Poor delivery again from Soumya Sarkar. A full toss, onto Iyer’s pads, who converts it into a boundary through midwicket with supreme timing

Rahul finds ways to get out every time doesn’t he? He is the sort of batsman who looks fabulous when on song, but ugly when in two minds and playing a poor stroke to get dismissed which happens very often. The day he finds better balance in this equation, he will take the next leap as batsman. 

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer looking like a million bucks at his adopted “IPL” home ground. India need a partnership here.

After 9 overs,India 60/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 21 , Shreyas Iyer 15)

Aminul continues. Iyer missed out on a dolly as he mistimed his shot on a full toss to long off for a single but got the execution on last delivery with a biggie over the same region for a six. Pitch is behaving a bit slow but may be few big shots would change things for India. Nine off the over.

SIX! Pitched up by spinner Aminul and Iyer says thank you with a powerful shot over long off. The crowd enjoyed that one.

After 8 overs,India 51/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Shreyas Iyer 8)

Soumya Sarkar is the new bowler and offers a gift to Dhawan. Straying onto the southpaw’s bat as he nudged it down the ground to fine leg fence. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Poor delivery from Soumya Sarkar. Onto the pads of Dhawan, who just had to flick it past his pads, behind the sticks to fine leg fence

After 7 overs,India 44/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 13 , Shreyas Iyer 7)

Mustafizur out and leggie Aminul Islam comes into attack and the spinner picks up a wicket in his first over. Deceived Rahul into playing a chip shot to covers with a slower delivery. New batsman Shreyas Iyer had a risky start. Went after a loopy delivery as the slice dropped safely in extra cover. But he got the big shot on last ball, dispatching the tossed up ball over extra cover. Nine off the over.

SIX! Shreyas reached out for the tossed up delivery by Aminul and thrashed it over deep extra cover for first maximum of the match.

OUT! Rahul c Mahmudullah b Aminul Islam 15(17) 

Wicket in the first over for leg-spinner Aminul Islam. Soft dismissal for Rahul. The batsman had planted himself on the backfoot looking to play on off but the slower delivery deceived him into playing a chip to covers.

After 6 overs,India 35/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 11 , KL Rahul 15)

Shafiul continues. Rahul gets a boundary in the over with some good improvisation as he brought his wrists into play to execute the pickup shot off a short ball, that kept low, through to square leg fence. Six off the over.

This is the first time that Bangladesh are playing without a specialist left-arm spinner in the playing XI in a T20I match.

FOUR! Lovely shot by Rahul. Short and on middle by Shafiul. Kept a bit low as well but Rahul did good to use his wrists for the pickup shot to the square leg ropes

Not your typical Kotla wicket where the ball stays low but yes, it is coming slow on bat.

Good wicket but the groundsman thinks it might be a touch slow, given the absence of any sunlight in the last few days and consequently lesser watering. But good to see an almost packed stadium here

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 3, 2019

After 5 overs,India 29/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 10 , KL Rahul 10)

Star pacer Mustafizur Rahman into the attack now. This is a much better strip at Kotla then what we are used to but Bangla pacers have shown that taking the pace off the ball would still help. Batsmen struggling with timing. But poor delivery to finish off things. Back of length ball is cut past point for a boundary. First four from Dhawan’s bat. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Poor delivery from Mustafizur after a good start to the over. Back of the length ball and Dhawan makes most of it by cutting it past point. His first boundary.

After 4 overs,India 22/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 5 , KL Rahul 8)

Al-Amin continues. Another decent over by the pacer, just four from it. Still, batsmen are doing well. With boundary deliveries missing in the over, they used soft hands to steal quick singles.

After 3 overs,India 18/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 3 , KL Rahul 6)

These are good batsmen in the middle and Bangla bowlers needs to be immensely accurate to stop them from scoring. Shafiul was tight with his line but offered room once on off as Rahul cut it from back foot for a boundary past point. Six off the over.

FOUR! Good shot by Rahul. There was just a bit of room on offer and Rahul did well by getting onto the back foot and cutting the ball through backward point.

After 2 overs,India 12/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 2 , KL Rahul 1)

Right-arm pacer Al-Amin Hossain comes into attack from the other end. Good start for him as well. Just two from the over. A single for Dhawan as he comes down to play a push to midoff. New batsman KL Rahul takes a single with a nudge to midwicket.

Gone on umpire’s call. Felt that was the case from the off, especially with no edge in there. Not the best start for India. KL Rahul at the crease. He has been in smashing form. Five fifties and a hundred in his last ten innings… in domestic cricket of course. But atleast that’s the best run of form he has enjoyed in a while.

After 1 overs,India 10/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 1 , )

A perfect start for Bangladesh! They have sent Hitman Rohit Sharma back to the hut. Pacer Shafiul Islam had a poor start with the first ball being hit for a boundary by Rohit. He added another boundary through long off but the last one nipped back in sharply to hit him on the back leg. He was adjudged LBW but went for a review. Height was the only concern but umpire’s call means Rohit had to walk back.

REVIEW AND OUT! 

Rohit lbw b Shafiul 9(5) 

The length ball moved back in sharply to hit the hitman on his back leg but Rohit went against the LBW decision after Dhawan’s advise. Sadly, umpire’s call means he has to walk back to the pavilion. Good start for Bangladesh.

FOUR! Another poor delivery from Shafiul who has been duly punished by Rohit. Back of the length delivery and Rohit was quick to get onto to the back foot to thrash the ball through wide of longoff.

Rohit Sharma’s batting average and SR in T20Is:

As a captain : 40.07 | 159.37
As a player only : 30.43 | 131.13

FOUR! A boundary straightaway for Rohit on the first ball of the match. Poor delivery from Shafiul. On the pads and Rohit nudged it down to fine leg.

Alright, time for live action! Air pollution couldn’t do much damage to this match. Also, at the same time, visibility has improved to a greater extent. Let’s hope for an exciting match. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are out in the middle for India. Shafiul Islam to bowl the first over.

We are minutes away from live action. Both teams are out for the national anthems. We will start with Bangladesh’s anthem followed by India’s.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. Which is a bit surprising because India were looking to bat first. Why give the opposition what they want. Debut for Shivam Dube. India heavy with all-rounders… and only one leg spinner. T20 World Cup preparation continues.

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

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

Most T20Is for India:

99 – Rohit Sharma*
98 – MS Dhoni
78 – Suresh Raina

This is the 1000th T20I match.

India have won each of the eight T20Is that they have played against Bangladesh so far before today.

Rohit Sharma: We would have bowled first as well because of the dew factor. Our record chasing is good as well. This gives us an opportunity to test out few players from the domestic circuit. It’s their best chance to grab the opportunity. We are trying to stick with the same combination. Two medium pacers and Shivam is the all-rounder that gives us the balance.

Mahmudullah: We will bowl first. The wicket looks good and so we need to restrict them to as low as we can. It’s a good opportunity for other guys in the team to step in Shakib and Tamim’s absence.

TOSS NEWS: Mahmudullah makes the right call at toss and opts to bowl first in the first T20I in New Delhi.

Pitch report: “Looks like a very hard Kotla wicket, no big cracks or dryness on the track. It’s nice and hard which means ball will come onto the bat nicely. Hint of grass and moisture. Spinners won’t get much help from the pitch but for batsmen it is a perfect pitch. With the dew factor, chasing will be the best option” says Sunil Gavaskar.

Here he (Shivam Dube) is with the India cap! 

Proud moment for Shivam Dube who is all set to make his T20I debut for #TeamIndia.

Go well, Shivam 👏👏@Paytm #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/QoPvzd3QZg

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 3, 2019

BREAKING: Shivam Dube will make his India debut tonight. He was handed over the T20I cap by coach Ravi Shastri.

A smoggy Delhi but both teams have agreed to play, thus the first T20 between India and Bangladesh will go ahead. Just like that a health emergency has been normalised in a staggering manner. 

For both sides, this marks another build up to the T20 World Cup. Both missing key players… Virat Kohli rested and Shakib al Hasan… well.

Fans have started to take their seats in the Arun Jaitley stadium! 

Hello and welcome to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi for the 1st T20I against Bangladesh.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/sW1rI7IWOU

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 3, 2019

A look at the two squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, Shikhar Dhawan, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.

Bangladesh: Mahmudullah Riyad (C), Taijul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarker, Naim Sheikh, Mushfiqur Rahhim, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Aminul Islam Biplob, Arafat Sunny, Abu Hider, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Shafiul Islam.

In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, captain Mahmudullah would be expected to emerge as the Bangladesh’s talisman but which are the other players who could cause some damage to India in the series. Here’s a list of five Bangla players to watch out for in T20I series.

Despite the air pollution concerns, it looks like the match will go on as planned and it’s time to find out the key battles to look out for in the T20I series. Our team has listed down four such battles which would make the series more intriguing including the contest between Rohit Sharma and Mustafizur Rahman. Click here  to take a look at the key battles which can be essential in deciding the fate of the series.

Bangladesh were struck with a bad news ahead of the India tour with star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan receiving a ban from ICC. Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo expects the recent ban on Shakib to affect the team’s performance against India in the T20 and Test series but is hopeful that his players will step up to the challenge against the formidable hosts. Click here to read what all he had to say.

Water sprinkling around New Delhi stadium to curb pollution

A day before the first T20I between India and Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) intensified water sprinkling in the area to curb dust and air pollution around the playground. Click here to find the details about steps taken to tackle pollution for the match.

Air pollution levels in New Delhi have escalated to hazardous and visibility has dropped significantly as a thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts of the city on Sunday morning. Due to low visibility, air traffic at Delhi Airport was also affected as of Sunday afternoon with over 32 flights being diverted. But the inside news from BCCI sources is that the match has not be called off and we will have a match tonight. Click here to read all the details.

Bangladesh will hope to put the drama surrounding the players’ strike and the as well as Shakib Al Hasan’s ban behind and take on favourites India in a three-match T20I series, starting Sunday, with a clear mind.

Read the series preview by Amit Banerjee here .

Hello and welcome to coverage of first T20I match between India and Bangladesh to be played at Arun Jaitley stadium in New Delhi. The air quality in Delhi is in news for a week now and it has gone from bad to worse today. However, the visibility has improved since morning and it seems we will have a match in our hands. Both teams will look to collect the first win in this three-match series.