Bangladesh beat India by 6 runs in thrilling clash (AP Image)
Shubman Gill’s brilliant 121 and Axar Patel’s rearguard 42 — went in vain as India lost by six runs against Bangladesh.
Shubman Gill’s fighting century went in vain as India lost the last Super 4 stage match of Asia Cup 2023 against Bangladesh by 6 runs in Colombo. It was India’s first defeat in the ongoing tournament but it doesn’t affect their position in the tournament as they have already reached the final. Chasing a 266-run target on a tricky batting surface, Shubman scored a gritty century but failed to take India over the line. Axar Patel also played a valiant 42-run knock but his wicket ended India’s hopes in the chase. 38 runs were required from the last four overs and the Bangladesh bowlers held their nerves and managed to restrict India to 259 in 49.5 overs.
It was a dead rubber as India rested senior players before the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were rested as Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna got to play their first game of the tournament. While Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami also returned to the playing XI.
India vs Bangladesh Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Highlights
India were off to a shaky start in the chase after losing early wickets of Rohit Sharma (0) and Tilak Varma (5). However, Shubman held his ground strong despite not getting much support from the other end.
It was the second ball of the innings and Rohit played it over off-side where Anamul Haque took a quick-reflex catch at cover point to send the Indian captain back in the hut for a duck. In his next over, Tanzim struck again and got the wicket of India’s debutant Tilak who was dismissed for 5.
However, Shubman held his ground strong and stitched crucial partnerships of 57 runs and 45 runs with KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav respectively.
Shubman completed his century in the 39th over and he went on to hit 8 fours and 5 sixes during his 121-run knock. The 23-year-old tried to hit another six and was dismissed by Mahedi Hasan in the 44th over.
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Axar fought hard till the penultimate over and was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman for 42 off 34 balls as the left-arm pacer was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with three wickets. Debutant Tanzim and Mahedi Hasan also picked two wickets to hurt India in the chase.
Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy scored fighting half-centuries as Indian bowlers failed to take advantage of early wickets and went on to leak a bit too many runs in the death overs as Bangladesh posted a challenging 265 for 8.
Shakib played an innings that suited a captain, scoring 80 off 85 balls and Hridoy supported him with a stubborn 81-ball 54, after India put them to bat.
Shakib, who added 101 runs for the fifth wicket with Hridoy, made a confidence-boosting fifty for himself after struggling to make an impact recently.
Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for India as he claimed three wickets as Mohammed Shami claimed a couple.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh: 265 for 8 in 50 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 80, Towid 54 Hridoy; Shardul Thakur 3/65).
India: 259 all out in 49.5 overs (Shubman Gill 121, Axar Patel 42; Mustafizur Rahman 3/50).
