Shubman Gill’s valiant effort goes in vain as Bangladesh pip India in Super Fours thriller

India had a tricky outing against Bangladesh where the start seemed alright, only for the finish to turn tricky in the final Super Fours clash of Asia Cup 2023. Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first in a dead rubber that witnessed the Men in Blue making five changes, while Bangladesh wanted to finish things off on a high. Despite all the twists and turns deluging the encounter till the very end, it was Shakib Al Hasan’s men who had the last laugh.

India got off to a flyer as Shardul Thakur dealt a double whammy while Mohammed Shami raged through the defences of Liton Das (0), the latter departed for a silver duck. Mehidy Hasan (13) didn’t last long either as Axar Patel forced a nick off the bat and the offering was pouched by Rohit Sharma at first slip.

However, that is when the partnership of Towhid Hridoy (54) and Shakib Al Hasan started tormenting India as the two knitted together a 101-run partnership before Shardul Thakur finally managed to knock back Shakib’s (80) timber. Ravindra Jadeja got the better of Shamim Hossain (1) in a very quick span of time as India started sniffing blood again.

Shami got the better of Hridoy to raise Indian hopes, only to be blunted by the likes of Mahedi Hassan (29*) and Nasum Ahmed (44). Despite Shardul Thakur’s three-fer laced and Mohammed Shami’s brace, Bangladesh managed to post 265/8.

With the bat, India endured a shaky start with Rohit Sharma (0) and debutant Tilak Varma (5) dismissed early. Shubman Gill continued to battle with KL Rahul (19) for company, but the partnership did not last long. It was the other end apart from the Indian opener that seemed really shaky as wickets kept on tumbling at regular intervals.

A solid partnership between Axar Patel and Shubman Gill did steady the ship before the Indian opener finally departed for a well-fought 121 while the former continued the battle. Things seemed pretty much in control with Thakur and Axar knitting together a partnership till the 48th over, when Mustafizur Rahman produced the all-important breakthrough. Thakur flicked a ball straight to a fielder at square leg while Axar Patel fell shortly after, effectively ending India’s hopes.

Despite all the windings in the fixture that amped up the intensity of the battle, it was Bangladesh who went out on a high, securing a thrilling six-wicket win over their neighbours.