In Dubai, following India’s victory against Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded Abhishek Sharma for his ‘selfless’ approach and his ability to maintain momentum even after the powerplay overs. Yadav highlighted Sharma’s knack for assessing game situations and anticipating bowler strategies as a key strength. These very qualities shone brightly during Sharma’s stunning 37-ball 75 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.
Sharma’s explosive innings had such an immense impact that after his departure, India managed to score only 56 runs off the subsequent 53 deliveries, ultimately posting a total of 168/6 after a blistering start.
Chasing what appeared to be a manageable target on a slow pitch, Bangladesh’s batting line-up collapsed, managing only 127 runs. This handed India a decisive 41-run victory, securing their spot in the Asia Cup final. Consequently, the upcoming match between Bangladesh and Pakistan on Thursday will serve as a de facto semi-final.
Initially, India had a subdued start to their innings after being asked to bat first. Abhishek appeared somewhat nervous and overly eager to make an impact. He was granted an early reprieve when Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali dropped a catch behind the stumps when Sharma was on just 7 runs. A reassuring word from his opening partner, Shubman Gill, who was himself in excellent form, helped Sharma settle down.
Sharma quickly shifted gears, starting with a fortunate boundary off left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, while Gill continued to strike boundaries at the other end. After his initial struggles, Sharma began to bat with remarkable confidence. Nasum’s bowling offered him the necessary width, allowing the elegant left-hander to effortlessly send the ball soaring over long-on. Soon, he was in full flow, displaying impeccable timing. He lofted Mustafizur over long-on with a perfectly straight bat, capping off the over with another six. After a slow initial phase of 17 runs in three overs, the partnership between Gill and Sharma exploded, adding 38 runs in just two overs.
Sharma maintained his aggressive approach, smashing four boundaries in Saifuddin’s over, which propelled India to a formidable 72 for no loss at the end of the powerplay.
The entry of leg-spinner Rishad Hossain provided a much-needed respite for Bangladesh. The tall spinner quickly dismissed Shubman Gill immediately after the powerplay, with Gill contributing a swift 29 runs off 19 balls. Shivam Dube, sent in at number three as part of India’s flexible strategy to counter the spinners, once again failed to make an impact, falling victim to Rishad’s bowling.
Despite the wickets falling around him, Abhishek Sharma remained unstoppable. He powered his way to a half-century in just 24 deliveries, then launched Rishad over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Skillfully rotating the strike with captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sharma’s fifth six of the innings brought up India’s hundred in a mere 10.1 overs.
Sharma seemed destined to achieve the tournament’s first century until a disastrous mix-up with captain Suryakumar Yadav led to his run-out. Yadav played a cut shot towards backward point, where Rishad Hossain made a sharp diving stop. Sharma, having already committed to a quick single, was sent back by Yadav’s late call. Rishad’s swift, flat throw to the bowler’s end found Mustafizur, who efficiently dislodged the bails, leaving Sharma short of his ground despite a desperate dive.
Suddenly, India found themselves in a precarious position. Suryakumar Yadav’s labored innings of 5 runs off 11 balls concluded with a superb diving catch by Jaker Ali to his left. Tanzim Hasan, who had bowled an impressive opening spell, then claimed the wicket of Tilak Varma, whose aggressive slog was safely caught by Saif Hassan.
With five wickets falling rapidly, India appeared to be losing control, but the seasoned Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel managed to stabilize the innings. Pandya was the primary aggressor, contributing a fluent 38 runs, while Axar struggled to find his timing. India ultimately concluded their innings at 168 for 6.
From a strong position of 100 for 1 after 10.1 overs, India’s tactical changes in the batting order proved costly, as they squandered at least 40 potential runs in the middle overs. Notably, Sanju Samson, initially slated for the number five position, was demoted to number eight and didn’t even get a chance to bat.
Rishad Hossain emerged as Bangladesh’s most effective bowler, taking 2 wickets for just 27 runs, though surprisingly, he did not complete his full quota of overs.
India’s Bowling Masterclass Overshadows Fielding Lapses
Despite dropping five catches, all off Saif Hassan, India’s bowlers delivered a stellar performance to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting order. Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start when Jasprit Bumrah removed Tanzid Hasan for just 1 run in the second over. Hasan’s premature closing of the bat face resulted in a leading edge that was comfortably caught by Shivam Dube at mid-on.
Kuldeep Yadav made an immediate impact, striking with only his second delivery to send Parvez Hossain Emon back to the pavilion for 21. Emon, attempting another sweep shot, mistimed it, and Abhishek Sharma secured a straightforward catch at deep square leg.
Axar Patel further deepened Bangladesh’s predicament by dismissing Towhid Hridoy for 7. Having already hit a six in the same over, Hridoy tried another aggressive shot but misjudged it, sending the ball high towards long-on where Abhishek Sharma completed another catch.
Varun Chakaravarthy continued to apply pressure, first by bowling Shamim Hossain for a duck with a direct delivery that shattered the leg stump. Shortly thereafter, a brilliant piece of fielding from Suryakumar Yadav led to Jaker Ali’s dismissal. Saif Hassan nudged the ball to cover and called for a quick single, but Yadav’s acrobatic dive and precise underarm direct hit found Jaker Ali (4) well short of his crease.
Saif Hassan waged a valiant single-handed battle, but he steadily ran out of partners. His spirited knock of 69 runs off 51 balls made him the ninth wicket to fall, as only three other Bangladeshi batsmen managed to reach double figures.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav (3/18), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) were the primary wicket-takers, effectively sharing the spoils.