This victory not only added a record to India’s illustrious cricketing journey but also boosted the team’s morale as they continue to experiment and strengthen their squad after retirement of the greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the shortest format of cricket.
In a scorching effort at Gwalior, India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first T20I and led the three-match series in style. This was no ordinary victory; it set a new record for the most balls to spare while pursuing a target of 100 or more runs. Despite the absence of seasoned veterans, India’s batting lineup demonstrated the depth and firepower of the country’s young cricketers.
Bangladesh, batting first, was bowled out for just 127. Hardik Pandya (39), Suryakumar Yadav (29), and Sanju Samson (29) were instrumental in the chase, while Varun Chakravarthy (3-31) and Arshdeep Singh (3-14) tormented Bangladesh batters.
India comfortably chased the target, ending on 132 for 3 with 49 balls remaining. Suryakumar’s powerful strokes and Pandya’s vibrant shots had Bangladesh scrambling as India sailed home. The win was not just momentous; it also cemented India’s place in history.
This win marks the fourth occasion on which India has chased a total of over 100 with a large number of balls remaining. Let’s take a closer look at how the Gwalior triumph compares to previous record-setting performances.
In 2016, India pulled off a dominant win in Harare, leaving Zimbabwe in tatters. Chasing a modest 100, India stormed home without losing a wicket, achieving victory with a whopping 41 balls to spare. Barinder Sran, on debut, stunned Zimbabwe with his lethal left-arm pace, picking up 4 wickets for just 10 runs.
His impeccable line and length kept Zimbabwe reeling from the start, and with Jasprit Bumrah’s 3 for 11, the hosts never had a chance to build any momentum. Chamu Chibhabha’s mistimed shot, caught brilliantly by Ambati Rayudu, symbolised Zimbabwe’s struggles. India’s response was smooth sailing, with Mandeep Singh (52*) and KL Rahul (47*) sealing the deal comfortably.
Back in the 2010 World T20, India faced Afghanistan in a match that, on paper, looked like a mismatch, and on the field, it turned out to be one. Afghanistan’s plucky spirit shone through, especially with Noor Ali’s gritty half-century. But a disciplined Indian bowling attack, led by Ashish Nehra’s clever use of the bouncer, stifled Afghanistan’s progress. Nehra’s 3 for 19, combined with intelligent captaincy from MS Dhoni, limited Afghanistan to a below-par 115 for 8.
India’s chase was clinical. With a steady 48, Murali Vijay ensured that India never looked in trouble despite losing a few wickets along the way. Yuvraj Singh (23) chipped in with valuable runs as India crossed the finish line with 31 balls to spare.
Six years before the 2016 blitz, India had crushed Zimbabwe in another T20, this time chasing 112 with ease. Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin spun a web around Zimbabwe, restricting them to 111 for 9. Ojha, with his miserly 2 for 11, registered one of the most economical spells in India’s T20 history. The middle overs belonged to India’s spinners, as Zimbabwe went nearly ten overs without a boundary.
India’s chase wasn’t without hiccups, though. They were 48 for 4 at one point, with Zimbabwe sensing an upset. But Yusuf Pathan (37*) and Virat Kohli steadied the ship, calmly guiding India home with six wickets in hand and 30 balls left.
