You really can’t ask for a better finish. Can you? Indian Cricket fans were in for a bittersweet surprise when the squad for Nidahas Trophy was announced as it was a team without the likes of Dhoni, Kohli, Bumrah, Bhuvi.
India A now consisted of newcomers like Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Vijay Shankar with the veterans Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan guiding them.
HOWEVER, THE SQUAD DIDN’T DISAPPOINT.
Another nail-biter, electric T20 final culminated into yet another feather in Indian Cricket Team’s cap as India won the Nidahas Trophy to clinch the Twenty20 tri-series.
It was a dramatic win, nothing short of a thriller. With India needing 34 runs off the last two overs, Karthik hammered 29 not out off JUST eight deliveries, and his third six sealed India’s third, (and the most hard-earned one yet) victory over Bangladesh on Sunday, March 18.
The Nidahas Trophy is a T20 cricket tournament which is played between India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Highlights
India’s new side had failed to impress after the first match of the Nidahas Trophy against Sri Lanka. Hopes were thin because it was clear that the side lacked experience and Rohit Sharma has a lot to worry about in the coming days.
However, as we progressed through the series, we saw the newcomers working their way around. Washington Sundar proved to be the right choice, with him playing a stellar game throughout the series and winning the Player of the Series Award too.
The Men In Blue had sent a second-string team for the tournament, but they still were easily the best with their three back-to-back wins after suffering the defeat in the opening game against the hosts Sri Lanka.
Interim captain Rohit Sharma had opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Sabbir Rehman’s (77 off 50) and Mehidy Hasan (19 not out off seven balls) helped Bangladesh put up 166 runs on the board.
Rohit hit his 14th T20 International and with his dismissal in the 14th over, India needing 69 in 40 balls, in walked the main man, Karthik and what followed was a carnage of runs in Premdasa Stadium, Colombo.
“I have been practising these shots – having a strong base and then hitting from there. Happy to be where I’m and thanks to the support staff who have kept on supporting me for the last few months.”
-said Karthik, after his MOM award.
The victory against Bangladesh was extra special because of the heated rivalry between the two teams since Bangladesh’s 2015 World Cup quarterfinal defeat in Melbourne where they felt that the umpiring decisions went against them and now the Bangladeshi Cricket fanatics consider India to be their biggest on-field rivals.
What the Cricket Fraternity Had To Say
The accolades for the team didn’t stop pouring in and everyone, from the fans to the cricket legends and experts took to social media to congratulate the team and celebrate the win, with several people saying that Karthik proved to be the perfect finisher, and maybe the best replacement for Dhoni.
“Dinesh Karthik made his debut before Dhoni. But he is still only 32 and batting better than ever before. Could well be a wonderful second win for him if he can keep his form from the last 2 years”
, said Harsha Bhogle, a famous Cricket analyst.
Cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan too expressed their happiness. 
The Sunday ended on a happy note for all the Indians, and we only hope that more of such brilliant, well-deserved victories follow for India.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Times Of India, NDTV, DNA
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