That’s all that is from this particular game and series but you can keep tuned in to check out other matches in our match centre. The Women’s T20 World Cup is about to reach its business end while in the Men’s section, a few new series are set to kick off. West Indies’ tour of Si Lanka, New Zealand’s tour of India and South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh in the immediate future. You can catch all of these and much more by clicking on the different match centres. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

That ends a difficult tour for Bangladesh. They would have come here with plenty of expectations but were mostly knocked out in nearly every game. However, they will know that life does not end here and it is just an end of a phase. Not in terms of the series but in terms of an era as well. New beginnings will need to be searched upon, to unearth the next set of diamonds. They don’t have much time for a turnaround as they head back home for their next assignment – a 2-Test series against South Africa, starting 21st October, 2024. India, on the other hand, have just begun their home season. Bangladesh have been dealt with and it is time for the next challenge – New Zealand. That will be a 3-Test series, which will see the senior players return.

Victorious Indian captain, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, shares his thoughts, highlighting how much the team has achieved together. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a selfless mindset, with players supporting and celebrating each other’s performances. The camaraderie within the group is evident. He recalls coach Gautam Gambhir’s words before the series, reminding the team that no one is bigger than the game – whether you’re on 49 or 99, you must stay committed to the team’s goal, just like Sanju Samson did. He stresses the need for flexibility in both batting and bowling, with bowlers contributing where needed and batters showing adaptability. Ends by saying that the team’s performances have been commendable.

HARDIK PANDYA HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. 118 runs at a strike rate of over 222, a wicket and 5 catches to boot. On his mental freedom, Pandya credits it to the atmosphere in the dressing room, created by the skipper and the coach, with everyone enjoying everyone’s success. On his physical fitness, Hardik says that his body is feeling fantastic. On his best shot in this innings, HP calls his shot over cover in the final over, as those shots are not easy to play.

SANJU SAMSON HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his blistering 111, to go with a catch as well.

Bangladesh’s skipper, NAJMUL HOSSAIN SHANTO, admits that Bangladesh did not play their best cricket. Details that as a group, the batting unit did not execute its plans while the bowling was not consistent, and in this game, it was a match to forget. Wants his players to forget this game, head back home and look ahead to the future, wanting to take more responsibilities. From this particular game, he wishes the seamers would have stuck to their lines and lengths, despite the carnage and the top order getting some more runs.

… THE PRESENTATION …

RAVI BISHNOI steps in for a chat and expresses his happiness at reaching a small milestone in his career, as he picks up 50 T20I wickets. He mentions that the healthy competition within the team pushes him to stay consistent with the ball. Bishnoi acknowledges that the wicket is challenging, but believes it’s important to accept it and focus on self-improvement. He also shares that he’s been working on several things in the nets and feels that the more he plays, the better his performances will become. That was not the presentation. Please stay tuned for the series presentation.

Earlier in the evening, after winning the toss, India wasted little time in making their intent felt. They lost a wicket early but the ones who came in next just expressed their freedom clearly and clarity of mind. Sanju Samson set the tone with a fine 111, well supported by Suryakumar Yadav’s 75 but the others also chipped in, falling just 3 short of 300. Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up 3 wickets but it was a day where every Bangladeshi bowler will want to forget.

Ravi Shastri on air, called this as the ‘C’ team for India. That’s because this is definitely not India’s best squad on paper. This is the backup of the bench strength, which shows how far has the level of cricket reached in this country. Once the batters posted 297, the hosts were never under pressure but the bowlers were not complacent. Mayank Yadav bowled with fire, picking up a couple of wickets while Ravi Bishnoi went through the middle order of Bangladesh, taking 3 scalps. Overall, what would have pleased India is, irrespective of the scenario, the bowlers did not lift their foot off the pedal.

Spare a thought for Mahmudullah. His final game in the T20I format and he would have wished to make it memorable. It indeed will be memorable but in the opposite sense, because no one from the team will forget this mauling for the rest of their lives. It ends a great career and perhaps, sets the sun on Bangladesh’s golden period for a while. They will have to dig deep to again find the new Shakibs, the Rahims, the Tamims and the Mahmudullahs.

One of those games, where the match probably ended when the run chase began. Now-a-days, 298 is difficult to chase down in ODIs, let alone in T20Is. Bangladesh could not come out swinging and unfortunately for them, they could string any partnerships either. Just one stand crossed 50 and that was between Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy. However, either side of that half century stand, there was a collapse. 59 for the first 3 wickets and 27 for the last 4 wickets. Only Das and Hridoy could cross 20 and that is not a true picture of how the surface behaved, as it was actually good for batting.

End of a tough outing for Bangladesh. Not only for the day, but for the series and the tour in general. Nothing has gone their way in this entire tour and it is a bit difficult to digest for a team which arrived on Indian shores after beating Pakistan in their own backyard. A defeat by 133 runs means it is Bangladesh’s biggest ever loss in T20Is, in terms of run margin and India’s third biggest win.

19.6 – 1 run.

19.5 – Great effort from Riyan Parag in the deep!

19.4 – Ouch! That might sting a bit! On a hard length, angling in on middle, the ball takes off the deck, Towhid Hridoy gets low and looks to pull but misses and seems to have gotten a blow on the elbow.

19.3 – Fuller, outside off, Tanzim Hasan Sakib has a wild swing and connects. Gets it down to long on for a single.

19.2 – 1 run.

19.1 – FOUR! THUMP! Short and wide outside off, the field is up on the off side, so that’s easy pickings for Hridoy. He gets across and cuts it over point. Moves to 61 (39).

Who will bowl the final over? Nitish Kumar Reddy. 2-0-23-1 so far.