World T20: Glamour Shots Cost Bangladesh Win Against India, Says Sunil Gavaskar
India kept their hopes alive of reaching the World T20 semifinals after their thrilling one-run win over Bangladesh. They will play Australia on March 27 in their final Super 10s match.
Highlights
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Gavaskar praised Dhoni for captaincy and said he was at top of his game
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Both Gavaskar and Sangakkara believe India can make it to the last four
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Sangakkara said India might have turned a corner after the thrilling win
Bangladesh lost three wickets in the final three balls when they needed just two runs to win and handed India a crucial victory in the World T20. India's former captain Sunil Gavaskar believed that going for "glamour shots" in the end, cost Bangladesh the win. (Hardik Pandya Helps India Beat Bangladesh by One Run)
Bangladesh came tantalisingly close to chasing down India's total of 146 for seven, but the thriller in Benguluru ended with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni running out Mustafizur Rahman off the last ball of the match. (India Stay In The Hunt For Semi-Finals After Thrilling Bangladesh Win)
"Mushfiqur (Rahim) and Mahmudullah went for the glamour shots. They should not have done it," Gavaskar told NDTV. (Ashwin Admits Win Over Bangladesh Was Rollercoaster Ride)
With Bangladesh needing 10 runs off five balls in a gripping final over sent down by Hardik Pandya, Mushfiqur Rahim (11) smashed two consecutive fours, before holing out to Shikhar Dhawan on the mid-wicket boundary. (Dhoni Reveals He Asked Hardik Pandya Not to go for Yorkers)
With two runs needed from two balls, Mahmudullah was inexplicably also caught in the deep for 18.
Gavaskar praised Dhoni for his captaincy and said the Indian skipper was at the top of his game.
"MS Dhoni knew what to do. His plans showed that he was at the top of his game. Also, the commitment of the players was there to see as they tried to get India out of a sticky situation."
The former India opener also acknowledged the role played by Ashish Nehra in assisting his fellow pacers at the death.
"Ashish Nehra's advice to Dhoni during the match cannot be underestimated. He contributed as a senior player," said Gavaskar.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said that Bangladesh threw away the match after doing all the hardwork.
"Having done the hard work, Bangladesh threw the match away in the last over," Sangakkara told NDTV
India's group stage victory bolsters their chances of reaching the semi-finals, but they must now defeat Australia on Sunday to secure a place in the final four.
Both Gavaskar and Sangakkara believe that India can now make it to the last four.
"India can enter the semi-final now. My advice to fans is save some prayers for Sunday (when India face Australia)," said Gavaskar.
"Yes they can (reach the semi-finals). I think they have turned a corner with this high-pressure game," remarked Sangakkara.