The game almost went out of India’s hands, but Pandya's death over bowling supremacy brought India back into the World Cup

The Indian cricket team have staged comebacks on several occasions, and one of our favourites took place in 2016 when India pipped Bangladesh in the Super 10 of the ICC T20 World Cup. The Indian team was on the verge of elimination from the tournament, but Hardik Pandya made history by changing the game's outcome in the final over, leaving the Bangladeshi side embarrassed.

Poor batting display

  (Credit- Skysports)

In the Group 2 Super 10 match against Bangladesh, a star-studded Indian line-up failed to deliver a brilliant batting display and posted a poor score of 146. The only score worth noting was 30 runs made by Suresh Raina, whereas the rest of the batting lineup scored in the 15s and 20s, which put India in a situation that nearly ensured India’s exit.

Bangladesh’s near-successful chase

With few runs to defend, the Indian bowling unit could not do much as Bangladeshi batters rotated the strike and added runs to the board. Tamim Iqbal scored 35 runs, Sabbir Rahman added 26 runs, and 22 runs came from Shakib Al Hasan. Even Bangladesh’s lower order was on course to steal the game from India.

Pandya’s last over

(Credit- Times Now News)

In the last over, Bangladesh needed 11 runs, and in the first delivery, Pandya gave away one run, followed by a four. The target was reduced to six needed in four balls, and Pandya gave away another four, two required in three balls. Finally, Pandya bowled a bouncer that did not connect well with Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat, and the ball landed in Shikhar Dhawan’s hand.

Bangladesh was at 7 wickets with 2 runs required in 2 balls. In the fifth ball of the over, Pandya threw a full toss at Mahmudullah, who could not hit the ball with enough power, and it landed in Ravindra Jadeja’s hands—Bangladesh’s score stood at 145–8, needing two runs in the last ball.

(Credit- Times Now News)

In the last delivery, Shuvagata Hom could not connect with the ball but ran for a single. However, the ball was collected by Dhoni behind the stumps, who ran and stumped Mustafizur Rahman.

India and Bangladesh produced one of the best thrillers at the World Cup, with India winning by 1 run. An overconfident Bangladesh, which was celebrating moments ago, got all teary-eyed in the dugout.

The Men in Blue proceeded to the next round of the tournament, whereas Bangladesh crashed out of the World Cup.