The latest installment of the India vs Bangladesh rivalry unfolded in the 2024 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where India secured a dramatic victory in what turned out to be a thrilling encounter. The match, held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on October 9, 2024, was marked by moments of brilliance, controversy, and impressive performances from both sides.
Bangladesh’s Strong Start
Bangladesh came into the game looking to upset one of the tournament favorites, India, and started off impressively. Winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to bat first and showcased their intent from the outset. Their openers, Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das, provided a solid foundation, putting up a 70-run partnership for the first wicket.
Litton Das, in particular, looked in fine form, taking on the Indian pacers with an aggressive approach. He hit a flurry of boundaries before falling to India’s lead spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, for 47 runs off 40 balls. Tanzid followed soon after, losing his wicket at a critical juncture. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the innings with a calculated 65 off 78 balls, keeping Bangladesh’s hopes alive.
Despite the bright start, Bangladesh struggled to maintain momentum in the middle overs. India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, took crucial wickets at regular intervals, keeping Bangladesh’s score in check. The visitors eventually finished with a total of 256/8 in their allotted 50 overs, a competitive score but not one that would completely intimidate the Indian batting lineup.
India’s Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride
Chasing 257, India began their innings confidently, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill once again delivering a solid opening stand. The pair contributed 80 runs for the first wicket, with Rohit Sharma playing a captain’s knock, scoring a composed 53 runs off 60 balls. His innings was laced with elegant strokes and some towering sixes, but a misjudged shot saw him dismissed by Bangladesh’s standout bowler, Shakib Al Hasan.
Shubman Gill followed soon after, departing for 40, leaving India at 110/2. Virat Kohli, playing in front of a packed Kolkata crowd, took charge of the innings and seemed in sublime form. Kohli scored a vital 77 off 85 balls, keeping India on course for victory. His partnership with KL Rahul added crucial runs before a sudden collapse triggered tension in the Indian camp.
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman picked up timely wickets, sparking hopes of a possible upset. India lost four wickets in quick succession, bringing Bangladesh right back into the contest. The Eden Gardens crowd, which had been jubilant moments earlier, suddenly fell silent as India’s middle order began to crumble.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Just when it seemed Bangladesh could pull off an improbable win, Ravindra Jadeja played a match-winning cameo, finishing unbeaten with a quickfire 37 off 25 balls. Jadeja’s calm under pressure, combined with his ability to find boundaries in crucial moments, saw India reach the target with three wickets in hand and five balls to spare.
His all-round contribution, including some brilliant fielding, earned him the Player of the Match award. India’s victory helped them maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament and cement their place at the top of the points table.
Conclusion: A Classic India vs Bangladesh Encounter
The India vs Bangladesh clash once again lived up to its billing, providing fans with a thrilling contest. While Bangladesh put up a brave fight, India’s experience and composure under pressure proved to be the deciding factor. With this win, India continues to march toward the knockout stages, while Bangladesh will need to regroup and address their middle-order struggles in upcoming matches.