Team India were given a wake-up call ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, falling narrowly short against Bangladesh in the final Super Four clash of the tournament on Friday.
Opening batter Shubman Gill’s magnificent 121 in tricky batting conditions at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium went in vain as India failed to chase down a target of 266 set by the Tigers.
As a result, Bangladesh defeated India in the Asia Cup (both ODI and T20I) for the first time since 2012.
Gill’s hundred — his fifth overall in ODIs, four of which have been scored this year along — should come as great news for the Indian team during a crucial period in which they have their eyes set not just on an eighth Asian title, but on an ICC trophy that has eluded them for a decade now.
India skipper Rohit Sharma had earlier opted to field and wanted his batters to have a feel of chasing under the lights in Colombo. He also announced as many as five changes to the playing XI, with key players such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah getting rested ahead of Sunday’s final against defending champions Sri Lanka.
Rohit defended the team’s decision to field their reserves for what was ultimately a ‘dead rubber’ against Bangladesh, with the latter having already been eliminated from the race to the final.
“We wanted to give some game time to the guys, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Not compromising on how we wanted to play this game. Get in some players who are likely to play the World Cup,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
In Photos | Bangladesh end Asia Cup campaign with victory over India
The ‘Hitman’ also heaped praise on Gill as well as all-rounder Axar Patel, who struck a fighting 42 off 34 deliveries to take the game to the very end. Axar however, would fail to get his team over the line with senior pacer Mustafizur Rahman getting rid of both him and Shardul Thakur in a superb penultimate over.
From the team’s perspective, however, Axar has proved himself a valuable option with the bat down the order, and has made a strong case for him to get picked in the final as well.
“Axar batted brilliantly, but couldn’t finish. He showed a lot of character. But credit to the Bangladesh bowlers. Not to forget, Gill’s hundred was brilliant. He backs his game; he knows exactly how he wants to play. Pretty clear on what he wants to do for the team. Look at his form over the last year. Pretty solid against the new ball. Works really hard; there’s no optional practice for Gill,” Rohit added after the match.
Shubman brings up his 💯
A scintillating ton for @ShubmanGill under immense pressure and he raises his bat in some style! 👏🏻
Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#INDvBAN #Cricket pic.twitter.com/KV6YW9OM5N
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 15, 2023
Earlier Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan (80) and Towhid Hridoy (54) brought up half-centuries and forged a fifth-wicket partnership worth 101 to steer the Tigers to safety after they were reduced to 59/4. Shakib, who was particularly severe on left-arm spinner Axar, struck six fours and three sixes during his stay at the crease, and was later adjudged the Player of the Match for the same.
He also bagged the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav and collected two maidens during his haul of 1/43 in a 10-over spell.
“Today, I went early and had time to spend on the crease. It was a challenging wicket. It was seaming a bit and it got easier when the ball got older,” said Shakib during the post-match presentation.
Read | Jadeja joins Dev in elite list during IND-BAN Asia Cup Super Four match
The star all-rounder also felt his side would certainly pose a challenge to the other nine teams in the ICC World Cup that gets underway on 5 October and goes on till 19 November.
‘We have got a very good team. A lot of players injured and some going in and out, that didn’t help us. I think we will be a dangerous side in the World Cup,” Shakib added.
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