On This Day: India defended 2 runs off 3 balls by taking three consecutive wickets

New Delhi: Regarded as one of the greatest turn around in the history of cricket, the India-Bangladesh super ten match of the T20 World Cup, 2016 at Bengaluru has completed one year. 

The do or die encounter for both the sides was turning out to be a one sided affair until the last three deliveries of the match. 

Hardik Pandya had a daunting task of defending 11 off the last six, a well settled Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudduallah Riad were at the crease.  It seemed unlikely that India would advance any further. It became nearly impossible when two deliveries of the over went for fours – Rahim roaring in a victory like celebration after the last one. 

2 required off 3. Even the most optimistic of Indian fans would have convinced his heart of an early exit from the World Cup. 

The Chinnaswamy stadium in death silence, Pandya ran in to complete the formalities. A short of good length delivery at around middle stump, Mushfiqur swings his bat in a horizontal way but doesn’t get all of it. The ball balloons up to Dhawan at deep mid-wicket. Chinnaswamy erupts with deafening noise – 2 off 2 with 3 wickets to go. 

Pandya delivers a full toss, Mahmudullah gives it his all but missed times it. This time Jadeja takes a tumbling catch at Deep Mid-wicket. 

Was it really happening? Did India now have a realistic chance of winning from 2 needed off 3 situation?   

Pandya shortens his length further, dragging the last ball wide outside off stump. The batsman misses; non striker makes a desperate attempt before Dhoni whips the bails off. After an agonizing wait of 45 seconds the giant screen flashes ‘OUT’. 

India had snatched win from the jaws of defeat – may be a little deeper than jaws.