The Unforgettable Last-Over Finish: India vs Bangladesh, T20 World Cup 2016
On 23 March 2016, at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, cricket fans witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the T20 World Cup. India edged out Bangladesh by **1 run** in a thriller that came down to the very last delivery. 0
Match Context & Stakes
This match was part of the **Super 10 stage** in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. 1 India batted first and posted 146/7 in their 20 overs. Bangladesh, chasing 147 to win, ended at 145/9. 2
Going into the final over, Bangladesh needed **11 runs from 6 balls**. The stage was set for high drama. 3
Ball-by-Ball of the Final Over
Runs required: 11 off 6
Wickets in hand: 3
- Ball 1: Mahmudullah takes a single. Bangladesh now needs 10 off 5. 4
- Ball 2: Mushfiqur Rahim smashes a four. Now 6 off 4 needed. 5
- Ball 3: Mushfiqur again hits a four! Bangladesh looks to be in control — 2 needed off 3 balls. 6
- Ball 4: A slower ball — mistimed by Mushfiqur Rahim, caught at deep mid-wicket. Wicket falls. Now 2 runs needed off 2 balls, two wickets in hand. 7
- Ball 5: Mahmudullah attempts a slog, but is dismissed (full toss). Bangladesh now is down to last ball needing 2 runs to tie or 3 to win, with last pair at crease. 8
- Ball 6 (Final): New batsman Shuvagata Hom tries for a run. MS Dhoni executes a lightning run-out at the non-striker’s end (Mustafizur Rahman was run out). The tie run was not possible, and India sealed the win by 1 run. 9
Key Moments & Turning Points
- The back-to-back boundaries by Mushfiqur Rahim brought Bangladesh on the brink. 10
- The mistimed slower ball (ball 4) was crucial — Mushfiqur’s attempt to finish backfired. 11
- Mahmudullah’s attempt on ball 5 went wrong, losing a wicket when a single might have tied. 12
- Dhoni’s instinctive run-out on the last ball etched itself into cricket folklore. 13
- Hardik Pandya, under pressure, held his nerve to bowl that final over. 14
Watch the Final Over (Video)
This video from ICC / YouTube captures the *Final Over Thrillers: India vs Bangladesh, T20WC 2016*. 15
Aftermath & Legacy
This finish is often listed among the *greatest T20 World Cup moments*. 16 It underscored the value of composure under pressure, and how one miscalculated shot or sluggish fielding can cost a game.
That match also had a big impact on Bangladesh’s tournament — being knocked out by such a narrow margin added to the heartbreak for their fans. 17
Lessons & Insights for Cricketers & Fans
- Bowling under pressure: Even when chased hard, bowlers like Pandya showed the importance of variation, composure, and targeting wickets.
- Shot selection in death overs: Mushfiqur’s aggressive strokes almost sealed it, but mistiming under pressure proved fatal.
- Running between the wickets & awareness: Dhoni’s last ball run-out reminded everyone that the non-striker’s end matters hugely in tight games.
- Never relax till the last ball: In T20s especially, matches can flip even with just one run or one wicket left.
Related Matches & Comparisons
If you’re interested in other thrilling last-over finishes, check these out:
- MS Dhoni’s Last-Ball Thriller vs Bangladesh, T20 WC 2016 18
- India vs Bangladesh 2016 – Full Match Highlights 19
Conclusion
The last over of the 2016 India vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup match remains a shining example of cricket drama. With courage, composure, and a dash of audacity, Indian cricket found a way. For Bangladesh, it was heartbreak by the slimmest margin. For fans, it’s a game we revisit time and again. May such finishes continue to inspire and remind us why we love this sport.
Note: For full detailed scorecards and additional commentary, you can refer to the ESPNcricinfo match page: India vs Bangladesh – Full Scorecard (ESPNcricinfo) 20
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