Bangladesh blew a solid position as they came within one ball of beating India for the first time ever, sacrificing three wickets in the last over and losing by one run.
Two of those wickets went to big, irresponsible, hits off full-tosses, which forced the last two batsmen to attempt a suicidal run off the last ball to tie the match. They did not make it.
It would have been Bangladesh’s first win over India in T20, and it would have put the hosts on the brink of oblivion in their home tournament.
The Bangladeshis bowled well to restrict India to 146, and weathered many a storm on their way to what have been a historic victory.
They had some cruel luck, as when Sabbir Rahman was adjudged stumped as he rocked back and was found to have lifted his foot when Bangladesh were 69-2 in the 10th over. Millimetres count.
Thereafter, the inexperience showed as they lost wickets at crucial times.
Earlier, India looked in good form as they put on 42 in the powerplay, for the loss of Rohit Sharma (18) off the last ball of that session.
They were still comfortable, despite the dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan six balls later for 23, as Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina put on 50 for the third wicket. India were 95 for two in the 14th over, when Bangladesh struck back. They had done well in keeping the run-rate manageable at about a run a ball, and the next six overs became an exercise in survival.
Kohli was bowled by Shuvagata Hom for 24 off 24 and Al-Amin Hossain struck in successive balls to dismiss Raina for 30 (23 balls, 1×4 2×6) and Hardik Pandya (15 off 7).
MS Dhoni ended unbeaten on 13 off 13 while Ravindra Jadeja helped raise the run-rate with 12 off eight.
At 7.3 an over, it was enough against Bangladesh’s nervous line-up.
