India vs Bangladesh: What happened when the team met last time in T20 World Cup?

The last time these two teams met in the T20 World Cup in 2016 in Bangalore, Bangladesh fought valiantly but lost by just 1 run. They bowled brilliantly on a slow pitch to keep the score within sight. The batsmen then took the chase to the final over, both Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur had done exceptionally well up to that point. Except for those arduous slogs in the last over. They got out trying to hit sixes towards deep midwicket when Bangladesh only needed two runs off two balls. Mushy was ecstatic after landing a scoop shot. He was out the next ball. And Bangladesh lost a contest they should have won because India was more composed.

That win helped India keep alive their hopes in the tournament, although India is not in that position this time a slip-up could mean they have to be dependent on other results. Bangladesh, on the other hand, would prefer not to discuss Bangalore 2016, while India would prefer to believe that they have matured into a more formidable team in recent years. Nonetheless, considering the stakes involved Wednesday’s match has all the makings of a great contest. India has typically trounced Bangladesh, having only lost one T20I against them in all previous meetings. They’d like their top order to start blazing.

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Meanwhile, Bangladesh may believe they have already exceeded pre-tournament predictions. They defeated the Netherlands and Zimbabwe but were annihilated by South Africa. While it has put them in a difficult NRR predicament, Bangladesh will welcome the afterglow of two hard-fought victories. The fact that they still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals against India will no doubt thrill them. But it won’t be as easy for them as on a flat Adelaide wicket, the likes of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav may pounce on their bowlers, the same way SA did.