Abhishek Sharma’s blazing 37-ball 75 powered India into the Asia Cup final with a 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai. His assault set the tone as India posted 168/6, before Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah dismantled Bangladesh for 127. Saif Hassan’s lone 69 wasn’t enough as India sealed back-to-back wins ahead of the summit clash.
A blistering fifty from Abhishek Sharma and a destructive spell by left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav propelled India to a convincing 41-run victory over Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage, booking their place in the Asia Cup final on Wednesday.
Chasing India’s total of 168/6, Bangladesh fell short, bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs. Saif Hassan top-scored with a valiant 69 off 51 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup could not match India’s intensity.
Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) wreaked havoc with the ball, supported by Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29) and Axar Patel (1/37), restricting Bangladesh and ensuring India dominated the match.
India’s innings had a flying start, with openers Abhishek and Shubman Gill (29) putting together a 77-run partnership in just 6.2 overs. Abhishek’s quick-fire 75 off 37 balls laid the foundation, but the middle order failed to capitalize after the openers’ dismissals, leaving India with a par total.
With this win, Sri Lanka are eliminated from the final race, while Thursday’s Bangladesh vs Pakistan clash becomes a virtual knockout for the final spot on Sunday.
Opener Abhishek Sharma hammered a 37-ball 75 but the rest of the batters failed to produce a big score as India settled for a par 168 for six against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super 4s match on Wednesday.
Abhishek shared a blistering opening-wicket stand of 77 runs in 6.2 overs with Shubman Gill (29) that gave India a strong start.
But once Gill and Abhishek departed, Indian middle-order failed to sustain the momentum.
Hardik Pandya (38 off 29 balls) made some cavalier blows at the business end to take the total past 150.