Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a fluent half-century and teenage off-spinner Washington Sundar scalped three wickets to help India beat Bangladesh by 17 runs at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday and guide the Men in Blue to the final of the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series.
Chasing a healthy 177, Bangladesh were off to a forgettable start, thanks to Sundar's (3/22) exploits with the new ball as opener Liton Das (7) and number three batsman Soumya Sarkar (1) perished to the tweaker cheaply.
Stumper Mushfiqur Rahim raged a lone battle with a 55-ball unbeaten 72, comprising eight fours and a six but that was not enough for his team as Bangladesh could only muster 159/6 in the end.
Sundar came back to send the other opener Tamim Iqbal (27) packing. Iqbal looked threatening with his four boundaries and a six off Shardul Thakur's first over before losing his leg stump to the 18-year-old tweaker.
At the press conference, Sundar expressed that it’s not easy to defend totals in Colombo.
It’s not easy to defend totals in Colombo. Bangladesh chased down a total over 200. Mine and Chahal’s four overs were crucial. If we play to our potential, then we will win the final.Washington Sundar
When asked about how he became a good bowler during the powerplay overs, he said:
I play a lot of league games at home. When I played a tournament couple of years back, I bowled two overs during the powerplay overs and two overs at the death. This experience helped me to become a better cricketer.Washington Sundar
Sundar, who is a right-arm off-spinner, just like Ravichandran Ashwin said that he learnt a lot from the last season of IPL.
The last season of IPL was very important for me. I learnt a lot in those couple of months.Washington Sundar
(With inputs from IANS)
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