// Picture Courtesy -- ESPNCricinfo
This victory continues to inspire Bangladesh as they look to compete at the highest level
India and Bangladesh have faced off 14 times in T20Is, with India dominating the head-to-head record by winning 13 of those encounters. Bangladesh's sole victory came after years of fierce competition and fanfare. The India vs. Bangladesh T20 series scheduled for October 2024 will reignite this heated rivalry. Starting in Gwalior, the two teams will play across three iconic venues—Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad. India, ranked number one in the ICC men's T20I team rankings, will face Bangladesh, who are currently ninth. As we look forward to this series, let's revisit Bangladesh's only T20I win against India.
Bangladesh's lone T20I victory began with immediate pressure on India. Rohit Sharma, trapped lbw by Shafiul Islam in the first over, set a worrying tone. KL Rahul's mistimed shot off Aminul Islam added to India's woes, and Shreyas Iyer's quick 22 off 13 balls wasn't enough to build momentum. At the other end, Shikhar Dhawan struggled, top-scoring with 41 off 42 balls, but his inability to accelerate hurt India's run rate. By the end of the innings, India managed 148 runs—a subpar score for the conditions.
Afif Hossain pulls off a stunning catch in the field
// Picture Courtesy -- ESPNCricinfo
Bangladesh's bowling was key to restricting India's batting lineup. Youngsters Aminul Islam and Afif Hossain made an immediate impact, taking crucial wickets while maintaining pressure. Aminul's clever leg-spin and Afif's impressive fielding disrupted India's efforts to post a substantial total. Even in the death overs, Krunal Pandya and Washington Sundar's late surge wasn't enough to challenge the disciplined Bangladesh attack. While Shafiul and Al-Amin Hossain were trusted with crucial overs, Mahmudullah's bowling choices paid off, making 148 a challenging target for India to defend.
Deepak Chahar bursts into celebration after dismissing Liton Das
// Picture Courtesy -- ESPNCricinfo
Bangladesh's chase started shakily, with Liton Das falling early. The pressure shifted to Mohammad Naim, the debutant opener, who took his time before hitting a six and a four off Deepak Chahar in the fifth over. Naim's contribution of 26 off 28 was vital before falling to Yuzvendra Chahal. Soumya Sarkar's reverse slog and power-hitting against Washington Sundar and Khaleel Ahmed kept Bangladesh in the game. By the eighth over, the match was evenly poised, with India trying to keep Bangladesh's scoring in check on a slow pitch.
That's that from Delhi. Bangladesh win the 1st T20I by 7 wickets and go 1-0 up in the 3-match series.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/z2ezFlifYx
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 3, 2019
The turning point came when Mushfiqur Rahim arrived at the crease. Chahal's brilliant spell had India tightening the screws, and Bangladesh looked like they might crumble under pressure. Mushfiqur, however, stayed patient. Though he struggled initially, he began to read the conditions and bowlers well. With Soumya at the other end, the pair cautiously manoeuvred India's spin attack. Mushfiqur's strategic play and timely boundaries started to shift the balance, leaving India searching for answers as the target came within reach.
Mushfiqur's heroics in the 18th over were unforgettable. With 20 needed off ten balls, he unleashed a series of precise shots—a pull, a scoop, and two slashes through point—to bring the target down to four off the final over. Khaleel Ahmed's over had been pivotal, with Mushfiqur targeting him late in the innings. His calculated aggression took the game away from India, proving his experience in handling high-pressure situations. His match-winning unbeaten 60 off 43 balls was the cornerstone of Bangladesh's victory.
Bangladesh win by seven wickets!
— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2019
A fabulous 60* from 43 by Mushfiqur Rahim guides the visitors to victory.#INDvBAN | SCORECARD 👇 https://t.co/qBFzQDJ3Bs pic.twitter.com/rPd8KV8uMX
India's gamble of giving debutant Shivam Dube the final over proved costly. Mahmudullah's calm head and quick running put pressure on the rookie. A wide and a massive six from Mahmudullah sealed the win. In hindsight, India's fielding errors, including Krunal Pandya's dropped catch of Mushfiqur in the 18th over, were costly. The missed opportunities allowed Bangladesh to stay in the game, and Mushfiqur made sure to capitalize. Bangladesh's first-ever T20I win over India was sealed in dramatic fashion.
Bangladesh's seven-wicket win over India in Delhi remains a memorable chapter in their cricket history. It marked the first time they defeated India in a T20I, a win that came through disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and a perfectly paced chase led by Mushfiqur Rahim. As the 2024 T20 series approaches, Bangladesh will seek to repeat their historic feat, while India will aim to reassert their dominance.
