Rookie all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a match-winning performance on Wednesday as India thrashed Bangladesh by 86 runs in the second T20 international, securing a series-clinching victory.
Reddy's explosive 74-run knock and two key wickets helped India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Playing at New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground, India posted a commanding total of 221-9, thanks to Reddy’s 108-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rinku Singh, who contributed a valuable 53. Bangladesh, in response, struggled to get going, managing only 135-9 in their 20 overs.
This victory marks India’s 16th consecutive T20 series win at home since 2019, continuing their dominance in the format.
Mahmudullah Riyad, Bangladesh's veteran batsman, top-scored with 41 in what is his final T20 international series. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from the format on Tuesday, and his 39-ball effort included three sixes in his 140th and last T20 appearance for Bangladesh.
India’s bowling attack was led by Varun Chakravarthy and the impressive Reddy, who both took two wickets. Reddy, who made his international debut just one match earlier, was named player of the match for his all-around contribution. His bowling figures of 2-23 helped stifle Bangladesh’s chase after he had earlier smashed seven sixes in his batting blitz.
Suryakumar Yadav, leading the Indian side, praised Reddy and the team's effort. "Happy for both (Rinku and Nitish). They batted exactly the way I wanted," said Suryakumar. He also lauded the young Reddy’s bowling, adding, "It was his day, I thought let him enjoy and make it large."
After being put in to bat, India found themselves at 41-3 within six overs. But Reddy and Rinku counter-attacked with a flurry of boundaries, guiding India to a massive total. Reddy reached his fifty off just 27 balls, hitting four fours and seven sixes, while Rinku followed up with his half-century off 26 balls.
Bangladesh’s chase never got going, with early wickets falling regularly. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed for 11, and the team struggled at 46-4 inside seven overs. Despite Mahmudullah’s fighting knock, the team couldn’t recover.
Reflecting on the loss, Shanto said, "We have got to believe in ourselves. Our bowlers were impressive, but we couldn't take wickets in the middle overs."
The third and final match will be played on Saturday in Hyderabad.
