During the fifth T20I of the Nidahas Trophy between Bangladesh and India at Colombo, India has scored 176-3 in their quota of 20 overs. Coming into this match on the back of their highest-ever run-chase in T20Is, Bangladesh won the toss elected to field against India, but that become costly for them as they fell short by 17 runs by India’s total.

As had not been the story throughout this series, India managed to not lose a wicket inside the batting powerplay. Rohit Sharma settling himself must have come as a reprieve for the Indian team management and fans. By the end of the powerplay, India had scored 49-0.

Shikhar Dhawan, who has been amongst the runs in this series, was out on the penultimate delivery of the 10th over. He scored a well-made 35 (27) with the help of five fours and a six.

Call it the presence of Suresh Raina or the fact that Rohit Sharma had got his eye in, the duo started its partnership on the basis of big shots. Raina did not waste much time before playing in a way that he is known for. Rohit, on the other hand, broke the shackles after completing his 13th half-century.

Having played enterprising innings, Raina missed out on a half-century as he ended up scoring 47 (30) with the help of five fours and two sixes. Rohit, who once looked set to become the second batsman to score three T20I centuries, missed out on the feat. He ended up scoring 89 (61) with the help of five fours and five sixes.

Rohit, who had returned with scores of 0, 17 and 11 in the tournament so far, was full or intent and purpose to answer the questions which were being asked of him outside the ground. His cautious approach might have been a concern for some in the initial overs, but after he shifted gears, all his critics were silenced.

With bowling figures of 4-0-27-2, Rubel Hossain was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers.

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While, coming to chase down the total, despite getting a decent start, Bangladesh was down to 48/3 after the end of the powerplay overs. Along with the openers, Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar also was dismissed by Washington Sunday in the first six overs.

After that the Tigers never get the chance to get back into the game as the Indian bowlers kept the required run-rate in check along by picking the regular wickets during the innings.

With that win, India are through to the final of the Nidahas Trophy. Mushfiqur Rahim’s lone fight just wasn’t good enough for Bangladesh as the rest of his team-mates couldn’t manage to put a show against the Indian spinners. First, it was Sundar’s three wickets inside the Powerplay that made things difficult for Bangladesh than some exploits from Yuzvendra Chahal kept the Bangladeshis on toes.

After that, Shardul Thakur returned well in his second spell to keep things quiet. The game, however, was set up by India’s top three. Rohit’s 89, Dhawan’s 35 and Raina crunched 47 to take them past 170. That score, on the slow surface, was just too much.

All of this means the next match, between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, is a virtual semi-final. For his phenomenal innings Sharma rewarded as the man of the match.

Brief scores:

India: 176/3 (R Sharma 89; R Hossain 2/27) defeated Bangladesh: 159/6 (M Rahim 72*; W Sundar 3/22) by 17 runs.