Photo Credit: ICC
The returning Rishabh Pant struck a fine half-century as India defeated Bangladesh by 62 runs in the final ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match.
Pant, who is hoping to feature in his first international since December 2022 in the coming weeks having missed more than a year with injuries sustained in a car crash, made 53 to help his side to 182 for five.
Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube then impressed with the ball, taking two wickets apiece as the Tigers came up short in response.
Pant and Pandya find their groove
India opted to bat first in New York and lost Sanju Samson for a single but captain Rohit Sharma (23) rebuilt alongside Pant.
The wicketkeeper retired after reaching his 32-ball half-century, which included four fours and four sixes, and late momentum was provided by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
Yadav struck 31 from 18 deliveries while Pandya contributed an unbeaten 40 from 23, clearing the ropes four times, as India set Bangladesh 183 to win. Mahedi Hasan was the pick of the Tigers attack, taking one for 22 from his four overs.
Bangladesh were immediately on the back foot in reply, slipping to 10 for three in the fourth over as Arshdeep Singh claimed two early wickets.
That soon became 41 for five in the ninth over and though Shakib Al Hasan (28) and Mahmadullah (40 retired) combined for a 70-run sixth-wicket stand, Dube took two wickets in as many balls in the final over to complete a comfortable Indian win.
India play their first group game against Ireland on June 5, with Bangladesh starting against Sri Lanka two days later.
Scores in brief
Bangladesh v India – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
India 182/5 in 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 53, Hardik Pandya 40 not out; Mahmadullah 1/16, Mahedi Hasan 1/22); Bangladesh 122/9 (Mahmadullah 40; Shivam Dube 2/13, Arshdeep Singh 2/12)
Result: India won by 60 runs
