India inched closer to a semifinal birth in the T20 World Cup following their comprehensive 50-run victory against Bangladesh in a Super Eight Group 1 contest on Saturday.
Hardik Pandya smashed a 27-ball unbeaten fifty as India posted 196/5, their highest score in what has been a low-scoring tournament so far, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Bangladesh were never really in the chase and managed 146/8 in reply, succumbing to their second Group 1 defeat to be on the brink of elimination.
Electing to field, Bangladesh began with spin from both ends but quickly abandoned the novelty after the first two overs yielded 23 runs and no wicket.
Shakib Al Hasan bore the brunt of the assault but redeemed himself by ending the 39-run opening stand between Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (23) and stalwart Virat Kohli (37).
Rohit offered a skier to perish but Kohli smacked three sixes before Tanzim Hasan triggered a mini-collapse in the eventful ninth over.
The pacer splattered Kohli's stumps, had his next ball hit for a six by Suryakumar Yadav, and was celebrating the wicket of India's No. 4 batter off the following delivery.
Rishabh Pant (36) and Shivam Dube (34) overcame sluggish starts before stepping on the gas but it was Pandya, who provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls that took India close to the 200-mark.
All-rounder Pandya then returned to break the opening stand when Bangladesh began their chase.
Pandya had Litton Das caught in the deep before spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed three quick wickets to effectively derail Bangladesh's chase.
Both Tanzid Hasan (29) and Towhid Hridoy (4) fell lbw to the left-arm wrist spinner, who also removed Shakib and finished with figures of 3/19.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (40) tried to revive their chase but once Jasprit Bumrah removed him, India, who are unbeaten in the tournament, had the match in the bag.
