India vs Bangladesh 2nd T20I: Nitish Reddy, Rinku Singh set up series clinching win for Men in Blue

Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh led team India to series-clinching win (Image BCCI)

It will be an interesting one to answer, if the question is asked which unit did better for India in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The batters delivered when the chips were down. The total of 221/9 was formidable, even in New Delhi, where India lost the last match they played in this format after making 211 against South Africa two years ago. The bowlers made it a no-contest as soon the visiting team began their reply, to seal the series with a game to spare.

The home team ticked many boxes. This is a different side from the one that won the T20 World Cup in June. Just three in this XI were part of that champion side — Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh. Heartening for the new coaching set-up headed by Gautam Gambhir was how this bunch got the job done. At 41/3 in the sixth over, India didn’t look like ending where they did.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh were the protagonists in this turnaround. On a pitch where the ball seemed to be stopping a bit initially, this left-right combination blew Bangladesh away. The partnership of 108 in eight overs was a revelation. Reddy was playing his second game for India. Rinku was only a reserve in the T20 World Cup squad. The explosion they caused actually ended the contest there. That’s why it’s fair to conclude that the batting unit gets a larger share of the credit for this 86-run win.

Reddy was impressive in the Indian Premier League this year. The right-handed batter displayed clean hitting over the bowler’s head and in the direction of wide long-on. Almost all of the seven sixes he hit in his 34-ball 74, also containing four fours, were struck in that region. Due to him cutting loose after a six off a free-hit in the ninth over, India plundered 26 runs in the 13th and 24 in the 10th. Those were defining moments in a match India made 159 in the last 12 overs from 62/3 after eight.

Rinku realised that it was Reddy’s day. So, despite being in good touch himself, he chose to take singles and bring his partner on strike. The left-hand batter was timing it well, which was evident from fours he creamed just in front of square and behind square using minimal force. His 29-ball 53 was a massive input nonetheless. Pandya cracked quick runs after Reddy’s departure and helped the team maintain momentum. Riyan Parag didn’t last long, but struck crucial sixes.

The bowlers were all over Bangladesh after Arshdeep conceded 14 in the first over. The left-armer struck back in his next over and everybody who bowled got rewarded. It was a rare occasion in a T20 game when all seven bowlers used got at least one wicket. Reddy shared the new ball with Arshdeep and returned figures of 4-0-23-2. Mayank Yadav cranked up good pace. It was a team performance from the bowling unit after the batters set up the game for them. Gambhir should be happy.