India Strolls Past Bangladesh to Book Asia Cup 2025 Final Spot

• by Caspian Harrington
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In a high‑stakes Super 4 encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India clinched a 41‑run victory over Bangladesh, guaranteeing their spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final slated for September 28. The win also snuffed Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes and set up Thursday’s Bangladesh‑Pakistan showdown as a de facto knockout for the remaining final berth.

Opening fireworks and the chase set‑up

Bangladesh’s stand‑in skipper Jaker Ali won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that proved pivotal. India’s openers wasted no time; Abhishek Sharma exploded for 75 runs off just 37 balls, lobbing five sixes and smashing six fours. His blitz built a 77‑run partnership with Shubman Gill, who added 29 before being dismissed at 6.2 overs.

The partnership gave India a solid platform, but once the first wicket fell the middle order faltered. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a modest five, and both Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma failed to make an impact. Hardik Pandya, playing his usual aggressive role, steadied the innings with a quick‑fire 38 off 29 balls, propelling India to 168/6.

Bangladesh’s fight and India’s decisive bowling

Chasing 169, Bangladesh leaned heavily on Saif Hassan, whose 69 off 51 balls kept the scoreboard ticking. Apart from Hassan, only one other batsman crossed double figures, underscoring Bangladesh’s inability to forge partnerships. The pressure mounted as India’s bowlers struck at the heart of the innings.

Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the night’s standout with figures of 3 for 18, turning the middle overs into a spin‑dominated onslaught. Supporting him, Varun Chakravarthy grabbed two wickets, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also claimed a pair, effectively sealing Bangladesh’s fate at 127 all out.

The victory not only booked India’s final ticket but also highlighted the depth of the squad. Sharma’s explosive start, Pandya’s finishing flair, and a diverse bowling attack showcased a team capable of adapting to different match situations.

Post‑match, captain Suryakumar Yadav reflected on the performance, noting the side operated at around 70‑80 percent of its potential. He praised the decision to bat first and hinted that the team’s balance could be tweaked for the upcoming final.

Bangladesh’s captain, Jaker Ali, remained upbeat despite the loss, emphasizing the team’s adjustments after the first ten overs and expressing confidence ahead of the must‑win game against Pakistan. He promised a thorough analysis of the outing to sharpen their approach.

Sri Lanka’s elimination added another layer of drama to the tournament narrative. After a promising league phase, a couple of sub‑par Super 4 performances cost them a place in the final, underscoring how quickly fortunes can shift in a short‑format competition.

With India set to face the winner of Bangladesh versus Pakistan, the final promises a clash of contrasting styles: India’s fire‑power versus a high‑octane South Asian showdown. Fans can expect tactical battles, especially in the spin department, given the success of Indian left‑arm and leg‑spinners in Dubai’s conditions.