India crushed Bangladesh by 41 runs in the Super Fours clash of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Abhishek Sharma (75) gave India a blazing start along with Shubman Gill (29). India posted 168/6 in 20 overs, with Hardik Pandya (38) also making a valuable contribution. Rishad Hossain (2/27 in 3 overs) was Bangladesh’s most successful bowler.

While chasing, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 127. Kuldeep Yadav (3/18 in 4 overs) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/18 in 4 overs) destroyed Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

With this win, India stormed into the Asia Cup 2025 final, which will be played on Sunday, September 28. They will face either Pakistan or Bangladesh, depending on the result of Thursday’s game. This result also knocked Sri Lanka out of the tournament, turning their upcoming match against India on Friday into just a formality.

India Secure Victory Despite Middle-Order Struggles

India’s performance was dominant for most of the match, though there were phases that exposed weaknesses in their batting. Bangladesh, while chasing a target of 169, never truly appeared in control. India’s bowling attack, packed with variety and depth, made it extremely difficult for the opposition to build momentum.

Even so, Bangladesh will feel disappointed about their batting effort. Their bowlers had earlier pulled the game back impressively after Abhishek Sharma’s explosive start had put India on course for a score beyond 200. By the end of India’s innings, it was clear that Abhishek’s batting brilliance was the defining difference between the two teams.

Abhishek Sharma’s Stunning Knock

Abhishek continued his outstanding tournament with another match-winning performance. After smashing 74 off 39 balls against Pakistan, he struck a blistering 37-ball 75 against Bangladesh. His innings gave India a flying start and set the tone for the match.

India’s batting followed a similar pattern to Pakistan’s earlier struggles against Bangladesh. They began at a rapid pace but slowed significantly once the ball became older and more difficult to hit. During overs three to eleven, India scored freely with Abhishek in complete control. However, in the remaining overs, the scoring rate dropped sharply, showing how challenging it was to accelerate on this pitch once the ball lost its hardness.

Abhishek’s ability to hit boundaries consistently set him apart. Bangladesh lacked a similar game-changing player, although Saif Hassan fought bravely with a spirited knock of 69 off 51 balls, which included five sixes.

Bangladesh Miss Early Chances

Bangladesh had a golden opportunity to remove Abhishek early when he was on just seven. He edged a delivery from Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the third over, but wicketkeeper and stand-in captain Jaker Ali dropped the catch. This mistake proved costly as Abhishek went on to dominate the game.

Tanzim bowled superbly with the new ball, generating sharp swing and bounce, while left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed was clever with his variations. At the end of the third over, India’s run rate was below one per ball, and Bangladesh seemed to be in control.

Gill and Abhishek Turn the Tide

The match changed dramatically in the fourth over when Shubman Gill attacked Nasum Ahmed, hitting a four and a six off consecutive balls. This marked the beginning of an aggressive phase where India wrestled back momentum.

Abhishek took charge soon after, smashing Mustafizur Rahman for two sixes in the fifth over and following it up with four boundaries against Mohammad Saifuddin in the next. By the end of the powerplay, India had shifted gears completely, leaving Bangladesh searching for answers.

Abhishek’s innings also placed him in India’s record books. With five sixes in this match, he reached joint seventh on India’s all-time T20I six-hitting list. He now has 58 sixes in just 21 innings, equalling Suresh Raina’s tally, which took 66 innings to achieve.

Brilliant Run-Out Halts India’s Charge

At 112 for two in the 12th over, India appeared on track for a massive total. However, Rishad Hossain produced a spectacular piece of fielding to run out Abhishek. Diving to his left to stop a delicate shot from Suryakumar Yadav, he quickly got up and threw the ball in one motion, leaving Abhishek no chance to return to his crease.

This moment shifted the game’s momentum. India’s middle order struggled to adjust to the old ball, a problem every team has faced in these UAE conditions. Bangladesh’s bowlers made the most of this, using slower cutters and smart variations to tighten the scoring.

India managed only 56 runs in the last nine overs. Hardik Pandya contributed the most during this period with a gritty 38 off 29 balls before falling on the final ball of the innings.

Bangladesh’s Chase Stumbles Early

Bangladesh’s reply began poorly, with Jasprit Bumrah striking early in the powerplay. Bumrah bowled with deadly swing and accuracy, making it incredibly difficult for the batters to settle. At one point, he beat Parvez Hossain Emon’s bat six times in just eight deliveries.

Emon briefly found his rhythm by hitting a six off Bumrah and a couple of boundaries off Varun Chakravarthy. However, just as he seemed to be gaining confidence, he mistimed a slog-sweep off Kuldeep Yadav and was dismissed in the seventh over.

From there, Bangladesh’s innings unraveled. While Saif Hassan kept fighting with aggressive stroke play, others failed to provide support. Jaker Ali’s run-out in the 13th over, while attempting to get Saif back on strike, ended any remaining hopes of a comeback.

India Close Out the Game

Kuldeep Yadav delivered his signature two wickets in two balls to further dent Bangladesh’s chase. India’s fielders dropped a few catches, allowing Saif to extend his innings until the 18th over, but it didn’t change the result. Bumrah returned to take another wicket, and part-timer Tilak Varma finished the match with three balls to spare.

India experimented with their batting order in this game, promoting Shivam Dube to number three, while Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel batted ahead of Sanju Samson, who did not get a chance to bat.