It was indeed a memorable night for all the cricket fans who came to witness the Nidahas Trophy final match between India and Bangladesh. There was everything a fan could probably as for in a T20 match - drama, suspense, thrill, and some good cricket played in the right spirit.
Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik smashed a six off the last ball to pull off a stunning four-wicket win for India over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy or Independence Cup T20 tri-nation series on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh scored 166/8 in their 20 overs with Sabbir Rahman top scoring with 77 off 50 balls.
India started the chase well but stumbled midway and needed 34 runs off the last two overs when Karthik came out to bat.
Karthik scored 22 runs in the 19th over against seamer Rubel Hossain.
India needed 12 off the last over and Vijay Shankar was dismissed on the fifth delivery, leaving India to score five runs off a single delivery to win. Karthik sent the ball to deep extra-cover to complete the chase.
It would count as one of India's famous last-ball sixes - something that Pakistani legend Javed Miandad did against India 32 years back in Sharjah.
Karthik's gem of a cameo got him 29 off 8 balls with two boundaries and three sixes - the last of them which will forever be etched in the memory.
A partisan Sri Lankan crowd, which was upset by Bangladesh's behaviour, did the now-famous 'Nagin dance' (snake dance) along with Indian supporters, leaving the Tigers distraught.
In what can be called a sight to behold, a Sri Lankan fan lifted Indian team's super fan Sudhir Gautam on his shoulders post India's win.
Rohit, who too has a great fan following in the island nation, was seen carrying the Sri Lankan flag in his celebratory lap of honour.
