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29 off 8 that shook Bangladesh! Revisiting Dinesh Karthik’s Nidahas Trophy heist

Poulomi Chakraborty

Dinesh Karthik’s remarkable knock against Bangladesh (Source: @TNCACricket/x.com)Dinesh Karthik’s remarkable knock against Bangladesh (Source: @TNCACricket/x.com)

Since cricket first emerged as a sport, it has become even more exciting with some thrilling rivalries. While the iconic India-Pakistan clash has delivered countless heart stopping moments, India’s rivalry story doesn’t end there. A fiery new chapter continues to unfold with another neighbor, as the India-Bangladesh rivalry grows over time.

The rivalry may not be as loud as the India-Pakistan rivalry, but the India-Bangladesh rivalry has mastered the art of nerve-shredding drama. Over the years, these neighbors have produced unforgettable cricketing moments, none bigger than the iconic Nidahas Trophy final. Just when Bangladesh was about to taste victory, Dinesh Karthik’s power-hitting dashed their hope.

Sabbir Rahman’s assault leaves Indian bowling in disarray

The classic India-Pakistan rivalry rewrote the script of the neighborhood in the cricket world. But while the world watched that hurricane of thrills, another rivalry quietly grew in its shadow. India vs Bangladesh may lack the noise, but the battle of nerves carved its own place in the cricket world.

The rivals delivered some of the iconic clashes, but the Nidahas Trophy final of 2017 is still a cherry on top. The tournament was packed with unreal T20 action, yet nothing matched the high-voltage India vs Bangladesh finale. Batting first, the Tigers started well, but the rhythm was interrupted when they lost two wickets in just 27 runs.

When the Indian bowlers wreaked havoc, Bangladesh needed a savior, and Sabbir Rahman stepped in. As the Tigers kept losing wickets, he stood tall and crafted a 37-ball fifty. Finishing with a match-defining 77, Sabbir dragged the Tigers to a fighting total of 166.

Tigers take charge while India slip under pressure

Over the years, Team India entertained with some exceptional chase but their domination took a backseat in the final clash. Stitching a 32-run opening partnership, Shikhar Dhawan walked away scoring only 10 runs. The pressure intensified moments later when Suresh Raina fell for a three-ball duck, leaving India suddenly on the back foot.

Standing on that point, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s 51-run stand steadied India’s innings. Leading from the front, Hitman scored a crucial half-century in just 35 balls, giving the side a massive boost. His impactful innings came to an end as Nazmul Islam sent him back in 56 runs.

After the Hitman’s dismissal, Manish Pandey and Vijay Shankar attempted to steady the chase and pull India back toward victory. But Pandey’s wicket on the final ball of the 18th over plunged the Men in Blue into deeper trouble. With the two overs left in the game, Bangladesh were already smelling victory, but the biggest surprise was yet to come.

Eight balls turn Dinesh Karthik into the Tigers’ worst fear

Before stepping into the 19th over, Team India needed 34 runs in 12 deliveries. Nervous energy gripped the Indian camp as Bangladesh closed in on what looked like a commanding victory, until Dinesh Karthik walked out. Coming to the strike in the 19th over, Karthik took the strike and smashed a massive six to Rubel Hossain.

When the world assumed it was just a fluke, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter smashed a boundary and another jaw-dropping six in the next two deliveries. By the end of the over, he had torn the script apart, hammering 22 runs from six deliveries and flipping the match on its head.

Stepping into the last over, the Men in Blue were still 12 runs away. As the Bangladeshi skipper trusted Soumya Sarkar, he tightened his grip until Vijay Shankar smashed him for a four in the fourth delivery of the over. But the script flipped instantly as Sarkar struck back on the very next delivery, sending Shankar back.

The last delivery turned into the ultimate decider of the highly anticipated final trophy. With tension at its peak, Soumya Sarkar delivered, and Dinesh Karthik launched it into the stands for a colossal six. That was an incredible moment as Team India secured the prestigious Nidahas Trophy with a four-wicket victory.