India Secures Series-Clenching Victory Over Bangladesh in Second T20 International

Rookie all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a stellar performance on Wednesday as India defeated Bangladesh by 86 runs in the second T20 international, clinching the series.

Reddy’s explosive innings of 74 runs and his two key wickets propelled India to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Playing at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi, India set a commanding total of 221-9, bolstered by Reddy’s impressive 108-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Rinku Singh, who added a valuable 53 runs. In response, Bangladesh struggled to find their rhythm, finishing their innings at 135-9 in 20 overs.

This victory marks India’s 16th consecutive T20 series win at home since 2019, reinforcing their dominance in the format.

Bangladesh’s veteran batsman Mahmudullah Riyad top-scored with 41 runs in what is his final T20 international series. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from the format on Tuesday, and his 39-ball innings included three sixes during his 140th and last T20 appearance for Bangladesh.

India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Varun Chakravarthy and Reddy, both of whom took two wickets. Reddy, who made his international debut just one match earlier, was named player of the match for his all-around performance, finishing with bowling figures of 2-23 that helped restrict Bangladesh’s chase after his aggressive batting display that included seven sixes.

Suryakumar Yadav, leading the Indian side, praised Reddy and the overall team effort, stating, “Happy for both (Rinku and Nitish). They batted exactly the way I wanted.” He also commended Reddy’s bowling, saying, “It was his day; I thought let him enjoy and make it large.”

After being put in to bat, India found themselves struggling at 41-3 within the first six overs. However, Reddy and Rinku launched a counter-attack, hitting a flurry of boundaries to guide India to their massive total. Reddy reached his fifty off just 27 balls, smashing four fours and seven sixes, while Rinku completed his half-century off 26 balls.

Bangladesh’s chase faltered from the start, with early wickets falling regularly. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed for 11, leaving the team struggling at 46-4 within the first seven overs. Despite Mahmudullah’s resilient knock, the team could not recover.

Reflecting on the defeat, Shanto remarked, “We have got to believe in ourselves. Our bowlers were impressive, but we couldn’t take wickets in the middle overs.”

The third and final match of the series is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Hyderabad.

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