India confirmed their place in the Asia Cup 2025final with a comfortable 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday. Abhishek Sharma once again shone with the bat, along with Indian bowlers who dismantled
Bangladesh’s chase and kept their unbeaten run alive.
Put in to bat first by Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali, India made a flying start thanks to Abhishek and Shubman Gill. The pair raced to a 77-run stand in just 6.2 overs, taking full advantage of the field restrictions. The southpaw, continuing his dream run, smashed 75 off just 37 balls, lacing his innings with six fours and five sixes. Gill chipped in with 29 before falling to Rishad Hossain.
Abhishek’s unfortunate run-out after a sharp piece of fielding by Rishad Hossain brought Bangladesh into the game. The middle order failed to capitalise, with Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma falling early. Hardik Pandya held one end together with 38 off 29 balls, but India eventually finished at 168/6 in their 20 overs.
Defending 169, Jasprit Bumrah drew the first blood by dismissing Tanzid Hasan Tamim for just one in the second over. From there, Saif Hassan fought hard for Bangladesh, playing a knock of 69 off 51 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 3/18, running through Bangladesh’s middle order. Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two wickets, including that of Shamim Hossain for a duck, while Axar Patel removed Towhid Hridoy. Bumrah returned to pick the wicket of Saif Hassan late in the innings, finishing with 2/18 in his four overs. Bangladesh eventually ended at 127 in 19.3 overs.
With this victory, India not only maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament but also became the first team to qualify for the final, scheduled for September 28. Bangladesh’s defeat means they must now face Pakistan in a virtual semi-final, with the winner earning the right to challenge India for the title.
Who Said What?
Abhishek Sharma, Player of the Match
I got the job done for my team, I have told before also, I go with the flow. When it's in my range, I go after the first ball as well and try to get the powerplay for my team. In a few matches, I wanted to go for the first ball because they wanted to get a wicket. This was a fresh wicket, I wanted to have a look, so me and Shubman decided to have a look and then go. I always wanted to go with the field, I always see the field and then go for my shots. I want to play according to the field. I have done a lot of work in the practice sessions, that is a time when the batter gets to play a lot of balls. When you play too many shots in the net, you can get out but I practice and try to not to get out in the nets.
Suryakumar Yadav, India (Winning Captain)
We didn't get to bat first in this tournament, I think we batted first against Oman but we wanted to bat first in the Super Fours and see how it goes. Looking at their bowling lineup, they had a left arm-spinner and leg spinner, I think Dube was perfect for that occasion in that 7-15 overs range. If the outfield would have been really fast, it would have been 180-185 but with the bowling lineups we have, if we bowl 12-14 good overs, we will win on most occasions.
Jaker Ali, Bangladesh (Losing Captain)
It's quite surprising, but I take the preparation. All the credit goes to the boys, after ten overs they adjusted brilliantly. We can take lots of things from this game, we have another game tomorrow. We have to keep in mind that we can win tomorrow and play the final. Let's see what kind of combination we are going to go but we will give our best.
