Dinesh Karthik Heroic Six Helps India Win Nidahas Trophy Final: List of All Last-Ball-Six Winning Nail-Biting Matches in T20I History

Dinesh Karthik scripted one of the best finishes in the history of Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket on March 18. Everything seemed lost for India in the final clash of Nidahas Trophy 2018 until Karthik single-handedly dragged the team beyond the finishing line!

In one of the dramatic finishes in T20I in recent times, the Indian wicket-keeper batsman hit a stupendous six on the last ball of the match to seal a victory against Bangladesh.

The shortest format of the game has seen a lot of last-ball finishes since its inception. There have been a lot of instances in the past where players have become heroes in no time, with their last-ball rescuing act.

India has often been on the losing side in such last-ball-win scenarios. In the context of Indian cricket, the last night’s win against Bangladesh reassures the fact that, ‘it’s not over until it’s actually over’, stands true. We, at LatestLY, bring to you a list of such last-ball nail-biting finishes in T20 history.

Last Ball Finishes in T20I History in a Nutshell:

1. Sri Lanka vs India, 23^rd Match, ICC World Twenty20, May 11, 2010.

With significant contributions from Gautam Gambhir (41) and Suresh Raina (63), the Indian team under the captaincy of MS Dhoni posted a total of 163 runs on the scoreboard. Chasing the total, the Sri Lankans were pegged back with early dismissals of Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuria. Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews contributed significantly in the run chase. However, it was Chamara Kapugedera who turned into a hero for the night.

Sri Lanka needed 13 runs in the final over. Bowler Ashish Nehra was smacked for a six on the last ball by Kapugedera which saw the Lankan Lions beat Men in Blue in a thrilling finish.

2. England vs India, 2^nd T20I, December 22, 2012.

A late blitz by Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni saw India post a competitive total of 177 runs on the scoreboard. In their reply, the England cricket team began steadily as both openers, Michael Lumb and Alex Hales stitched a crucial partnership of 80 runs. England seemed to have lost their way in the middle as Yuvraj Singh struck thrice in his 4-over spell.

However, England captain Eoin Morgan had other plans. India needed to defend 9 runs in the final over and all the hopes depended on bowler Ashok Dinda. The first five balls fetched only 6 runs for the England team; with 3 more needed on the last ball. Looking to bowl a Yorker, Dinda bowled a half-volley; Morgan swung the bat hard and hit the ball over bowler’s head towards the press box for a Six. With this win, England tied the 2-match T20I series 2-1!

3. Pakistan vs West Indies, 1^st T20I, July 27, 2013.

Kieron Pollard’s unbeaten innings of 49 runs and Darren Sammy’s fireworks (30 runs off 14 balls) in the end saw West Indies score a total of 152 runs on the board. For Pakistan, it was debutant Zulfiqar Babar who took 3 wickets for only 23 runs in his 4 overs.

Chasing the total, the Pakistan team had a bad start and were losing wickets at timely intervals. Only Umar Amin (47 runs) and Shahid Afridi (46 runs) were able to contribute well. With rain in the backdrop and only 6 runs to win in the final over, it should have been a cakewalk for Pakistan.

However, Marlon Samuels bowled well to take the match to the last ball. Pakistan needed 1 run on the last ball, and a mighty swing from the debutant Babar saw the ball sail over for a six and Pakistan win the match by 2 wickets!

4. Zimbabwe vs Netherlands, 7^th Match, ICC World T20, March 19, 2014.

Riding high on Tom Cooper’s half-century, the Netherlands cricket team posted a modest total of 140 runs on the scoreboard. Cooper scored 72 runs off 58 balls, where he hit 9 fours and a Six. In their reply, Zimbabwe had a slow start as they lost both the openers until the end of 14 over, with only 87 runs on the board.

It was Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams’ efforts that saw Zimbabwe reach near the finish line. The Zimbabwean team needed only 7 runs in the last over. However, the wicket of Williams on the penultimate ball of the match raised some hopes for the Netherlands. It was Vusimuzi Sibanda who dashed all hopes as he hit the last ball for a six and helped his team cross the finish line!

5. India vs Bangladesh, Final, Nidahas Trophy, March 18, 2018.

A resurgent Bangladesh team post a par-total of 166 runs on the scoreboard in the first innings. Riding high on Sabbir Rahman’s explosive knock of 77 runs off 50 balls, the Bangladesh side gave themselves a strong chance to win the final match.

The Indian team weren't fluent in their reply, with only Rohit Sharma being the saving grace. The stand-in skipper scored 56 runs but then threw his wicket away at a crucial juncture. India needed 35 runs in the last 3 overs with both players on the crease, Manish Pandey and Vijay Shankar, struggling to time the ball.

Manish Pandey was out on the last ball of the 18^th over, and it seemed that Bangladesh will have the last laugh at the end of the night. The equation was narrowed down to 34 runs off 12 balls.

However, Dinesh Karthik hadn’t given up hopes and was all charged up when he took to the crease. Karthik hit 6, 4, 6, 0, 2, and 4 on the first six deliveries that he faced, bringing the equation down to 12 runs off the final over.

In the final over, some shoddy batting from India saw them needing five runs on the last ball. The incredible six hit, by Dinesh Karthik, over the cover boundary saw India find a new hero behind the stumps last night!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2018 02:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).