India showcased formidable form in their T20 World Cup preparations with a commanding 60-run victory over Bangladesh in a warm-up match held here on Saturday. The match not only highlighted the team’s strengths but also solidified Rishabh Pant’s role as the leading wicketkeeper-batsman for India in the upcoming ICC tournament.

Opting to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 182 for five, propelled by Rishabh Pant’s explosive innings of 53 runs off 32 balls. Pant’s knock, featuring four boundaries and four sixes, underscored his return to form following a recovery from a significant car accident in December 2022. His partnership with Hardik Pandya, who contributed an impressive 40 not out off 23 balls, bolstered India’s innings.

In response, Bangladesh struggled to counter India’s bowling attack, particularly the left-arm pace of Arshdeep Singh, who led the charge with disciplined bowling. Bangladesh managed only 122 for nine in their allotted overs, as India’s bowling unit maintained control throughout the innings.

India’s comprehensive victory in the warm-up match serves as a morale booster ahead of the T20 World Cup, demonstrating their depth and readiness to compete at the highest level. The performance of Pant and Pandya, along with the team’s overall clinical display, bodes well as India gears up for the challenges ahead in the tournament.

With the T20 World Cup looming, India’s focus will now shift to refining their strategies and fine-tuning their skills further, aiming to replicate their success in upcoming matches. The strong showing against Bangladesh sets a positive tone for India’s campaign, instilling confidence in their ability to contend for the ICC trophy once again.