CALCUTTA (India): Paceman Deepak Chahar became the first Indian to get a T20 hat-trick as he guided the hosts to clinch the series 2-1 against Bangladesh with a 30-run win in Nagpur on Sunday.
Chahar, who returned best-ever Twenty20 bowling figures of six for seven, went past Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis who had figures of 6-8 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
He finished the match with a hat-trick to pack off Bangladesh for 144 in 19.2 overs while chasing 175 for victory.
Chahar was ably supported by fellow paceman Shivam Dube who claimed three wickets.
Left-handed opener Mohammad Naim made 81 and put on 98 runs for the third wicket with Mohammad Mithun (27), but the rest struggled in the chase.
“It were the bowlers who won us the game. I know how tough it was in the middle considering the dew factor,” stand-in-skipper Rohit Sharma said.
Earlier, KL Rahul, who made 52, and Shreyas Iyer, who score 62, made the hosts reach 174 for five after being put in to bat first.
Iyer, Rahul consolidate India’s score
Iyer and Rahul put on a crucial 59-run stand for the third wicket to give the hosts a challenging total in their 20 overs after India were invited to bat first in the final match of the series tied at 1-1.
“It must be one of the best comebacks in this format for India. It was easy for them at one stage, with 70 needed in eight overs, but the boys showed characters,” said Sharma.
The two teams will now play two Tests starting in Indore on November 14.
Kolkata will host India’s first day-night Test starting November 18.
“Until we get close to the World Cup, we got to find the right balance. There are a few guys missing, but they’ll come back. We’ve few games in mind before we get into that flight to Australia,” said Sharma.
