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The Indian team continued their impressive form, achieving a convincing 86-run victory over Bangladesh in the second match of the three-game T20I series on Wednesday, October 9. With the win, the hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, with the final match scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 12.
After being asked to bat first, India got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets during the powerplay. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh rescued the innings with a remarkable 108-run partnership for the fourth wicket off just 49 balls.
Rinku scored a quick 53 off 29 balls, while Reddy achieved his maiden fifty with an impressive 74 runs off 34 balls. Hardik Pandya added a brisk 32 off 19 balls, leading India to a total of 221/9 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh struggled throughout their innings, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Indian bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, with Nitish and Varun Chakaravarthy taking two wickets each. Bangladesh finished their innings at 135/9 in their 20 overs, losing by 86 runs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, 21, was named Player of the Match for his all-around contribution. Let’s look at five of the youngest Indians to win a men’s T20I Player of the Match award.
#5 Dinesh Karthik (21y 185d) vs South Africa 2006
India faced South Africa in their inaugural T20I match at Johannesburg in December 2006. The hosts won the toss and decided to bat first but had a disappointing outing, finishing at 126/9. Albie Morkel was the top scorer with 27 runs, while Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar took two wickets each for India.
In response, captain Virender Sehwag scored 34 runs off 29 balls and Dinesh Mongia contributed 38 runs off 45 balls. Dinesh Karthik remained unbeaten on 31 runs off 28 balls, leading India to a six-wicket victory with one ball to spare.
Karthik was also named Player of the Match for his performance, helping India secure their first-ever T20I win.
#4 Axar Patel (21y 178d) vs Zimbabwe 2015
India faced Zimbabwe in the opening game of a two-match T20I series in Harare in July 2015. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. Solid contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (33), Murali Vijay (34), and Robin Uthappa (39) helped India set a competitive 178-run total.
In response, Zimbabwe's openers Hamilton Masakadza (28) and Chamunorwa Chibhabha (23) added 55 runs for the first wicket. However, no other batter provided significant support, and the hosts finished their innings at 124/7 after 20 overs.
Axar Patel was named Player of the Match in his debut, taking three wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. Harbhajan Singh also contributed with two wickets as India secured a 54-run victory.
#3 Ravi Bishnoi (21y 164d) vs West Indies 2022
India faced the West Indies in the first game of a three-match T20I series at Eden Gardens in February 2022. After being asked to bat first, Nicholas Pooran impressed with a stellar 61 runs off 43 balls, helping the visitors finish at 157/7 in their 20 overs.
Debutant Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets while conceding just 17 runs in his four-over spell. In response, captain Rohit Sharma (40) and Ishan Kishan (35) put together a solid 64-run partnership for the first wicket.
Later in the innings, Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 34 off 18 balls while Venkatesh Iyer finished on 24* off 13 balls, leading the hosts to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare. Bishnoi was awarded Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance.
#2 Nitish Kumar Reddy (21y 136d) vs Bangladesh 2024
Number two on the list is Nitish Kumar Reddy, who became the second-youngest player to win the Player of the Match award in a T20I for India. He achieved this milestone on October 9, 2024, during a match against Bangladesh. Twin fifties from Nitish (74) and Rinku Singh (53) propelled India to 221 runs.
In response, Mahmudullah scored 41 runs off 39 balls; however, no other batter managed to build a substantial innings, and the visitors ended up at 135/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 86 runs. Nitish was awarded Player of the Match for scoring 74 runs and taking two wickets.
#1 Rohit Sharma (20y 143d) vs South Africa 2007
At the top of the list is former Indian T20I captain Rohit Sharma. India faced South Africa in the 24th match of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 in Durban. India got off to a rocky start, losing four wickets for just 61 runs.
However, Rohit and MS Dhoni combined for an 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Dhoni scored 45 runs, while Rohit finished unbeaten on 50 off 40 balls, helping the Men in Blue reach a respectable total of 153.
In response, the Proteas struggled, losing five wickets during the powerplay. Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel each contributed 36 runs, but the hosts ended their innings at 116/9, falling short by 37 runs.
RP Singh took four wickets, while S. Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh claimed two each. Rohit was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive half-century.
