Sloppy but unbeaten India storm into Asia Cup final
India will face the winner of Thursday's clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka are out of contention now
India will face the winner of Thursday's clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka are out of contention now
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11:27pm That will be a wrap from us for tonight. We will back tomorrow, with Bangladesh and Pakistan going toe-to-toe, with the winner earning the chance to contest the final. Until then, from all of us here at ESPNcricinfo, it is goodbye. Take care, folks!
Abhishek Sharma, Player of the Match: I was just doing my job. I have told before as well that I do not think much (while going in to bat) and go with the flow. If it is in my range, even if it is the first ball, I go for it and try to get the powerplay (going) for my team. In few matches, I wanted to go (after the first ball). There are certain bowlers who want to go for a wicket off the first ball. In this match, because this was a new pitch, I wanted to check how it was doing. It was swinging and seaming. We (Gill and me) spoke about it, we wanted to take a few balls and then charge on. I always try to go with the field, because there are certain shots I back really hard. I see the field and then go for the shots. I am not someone who goes all-out like that. (Where his power comes from) I have done a lot of work in practice sessions - I feel that is the time when batters get time to work on themselves. I had a plan that if I have to play with such intent, I have to practice really hard for it. When you play too many shots in the nets, there are chances you can get out. It was in my mind not to get out while playing too many shots.
Suryakumar Yadav, India captain: (On wanting to bat first) We did not get to bat first in the tournament and that too in a crucial match. It was important to bat in the Super Four and how we do. The wicket was a little slower in the second innings (in the game on September 14 as well) and that is what happened tonight as well, with no dew. (On Dube being promoted) They had a left-arm spinner and a leg-spinner and Dube was the perfect match-up. His entry point (between overs 7-15) was also perfect. It did not go well but going ahead, we will definitely try doing that. If the outfield would have been really fast, it would have been 180-185. If we can bowl 12-14 good overs, we can defend any total.
Jaker Ali, Bangladesh captain: All credit goes to the boys. They are adjusting well. After ten overs, they bowled really well. Big thanks to them. We can take lots of things from this game. We have another game tomorrow. We have to keep in our mind that we can win this match and qualify for the final. We will talk with the team management and let's see what combination they give. We will give our best tomorrow.
Rajkumar Lingav: "Fielding Coach Dilip T has to send lot of emails today. Too many dropped catches."
10:02pm A strange finish to the game with all the wides and with Tilak bowling the 20th, but the result never seemed in doubt, especially once India tightened the screw with their spinners. Kuldeep was brilliant. Axar was tidy and Varun, who was scratchy at the start of his spell, turned up when his side needed him to. Prior to that, Bumrah had bowled a sizzling opening spell which accounted for Tanzid. Hardik was not shabby either, but this evening was another illustration of India's spin-bowling strength and how they can strangle oppositions, even when they are not chasing totals in excess of 180. Their catching, though, does need a bit of work.
Bangladesh will feel they have let a game slip, especially considering where they were at the half-way stage. But in the chase, they never really got going. Saif played the lone warrior's role, crafting a 51-ball 69 that included several clean hits. But apart from Emon, no one else made it to double figures and that, in a nutshell, sums up Bangladesh's plight and gives them plenty to ponder ahead of what has become a must-win clash with Pakistan in less than 24 hours from now.
Mustafizur Rahman c Patel b Tilak Varma 6 (11m 11b 1x4 0x6) SR: 54.54
Tilak to bowl the last over
Both Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, in their own ways, had to hit the right rhythm to get going against Bangladesh and did just that, to mesmerising effect
India will face the winner of Thursday's clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka are out of contention now
Despite losing five wickets inside 15 overs, India's reluctance to send in Samson raised questions
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Just 21 T20Is old, Abhishek Sharma is making a name for himself as a six-hitter to rival the best