India secured a 41-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super Fours on Wednesday in Dubai, despite a stuttering batting performance. This unusual victory, which some might say wasn't a straight winner, places India in the finals, thanks to their domination performance throughout the tournament. Bangladesh’s chase lacked the effort needed to reach the 169-run target, ultimately handing out for 127 against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
India’s innings took off with Abhishek Sharma, who played a range of shorts, and upped the ante to score a 37-ball 75, including the powerplay over final over that yielded four fours off Mohammad Saifuddin. However, India lost momentum after the fielding restrictions lifted, losing four wickets for just 46 runs. Abhishek was ran out by Rishad Hossain, while Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma all fell cheaply. Hardik Pandya's 38 off 29 balls helped push the total to 168/6.
Bangladesh's batting was shouldered by opener Saif Hassan, who scored a half-century off 36 balls, as he was assisted by the Indian side, with four fielding errors, finishing with 69 runs. He hit five sixes, straight down the ground, and ended up giving a catch to Axar Patel near the boundary, stubbing out Bangaladesh's chances.
The Indian spinners utitlized the dry, desert conditions with Kuldeep Yadav taking wickets of Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan Sakib on consecutive deliveries. Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel also contributed, with only, Saif and Parvez Hossain Emon,reaching double digits, resulting in the team losing eight wickets for just 62 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, recovering form his performance in the last game, showed sharpness and took the wicket of Tanzid Hasan.
This was India’s 17th victory in 18 T20I meetings against Bangladesh, settling the upper hand it has on the team, while lose ends keep surfacing, that need to be paid efforts to. While the bowling unit, especially the spinners, have made perfect use of the conditions, the batting, and especially the fielding unit, hasn't been to the level one would expect the main title contenders to be satisified with.