Asia Cup 2023, IND v BAN: Shubman Gill 121 in vain as India lose to Bangladesh before big final vs Sri Lanka

India’s struggles against spin came to the fore once again, this time before the big final of Asia Cup 2023.

Despite Shubman Gill hitting a sensational 121, his 5th ODI hundred, India failed to chase down 266 against Bangladesh in their final Super 4s match on a sporting pitch in Colombo on Friday, September 15.

India, as expected, tested their bench strength by resting as many 5 players, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya. However, their batting frailties against spin were exposed once again as Shubman Gill lacked the support during his valiant knock in their chase of 266.

All-rounder Axar Patel came up with late-order big-hitting but he was not able to finish the game, getting out for 42 in the peultimate over.

India were bowled out for 259 in 49.5 overs, losing to Bangladesh by 6 wickets. It was India’s 3rd defeat in their last 4 ODIs to Bangladesh as the Asian giants had lost an ODI series in Bangladesh in 2022.

With the win, Bangladesh ended the tournament at the 3rd spot in the Super 4s points table, pushing Pakistan to the bottom spot. India, having gottten a wake-up call, will take on Sri Lanka in another trail by spin in the final on Sunday, September 17 in Colombo.

SHUBMAN GILL 121 IN VAIN
Shubman Gill showcased his class as he looked the only batter who had answers to the spin threat from Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Gill hit 8 boundaries and 5 sixes for his 133-ball 121. Gill effortlessly switched gears even as he kept losing partners. The 24-year-old kept putting the pressure with his big hits whenever Bangladesh tried to choke the flow of runs.

It was a flawless knock from Shubman Gill who took his time to get going after Bangladesh debutant pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib troubled the top order by swinging the ball both ways under light. India’s chase got off to a poor start as they lost Rohit Sharma for 0 in the first over when the India captain hit an outswinger straight into the hands of the cover fielder.

India had made 5 changes to their XI for the dead rubber against Bangladesh in Colombo as they had already qualified for the final of Asia Cup 2023 with wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav returned to the line-up with Tilak Varma made his ODI debut.

WHEN GILL KEPT LOSING PARTNERS
However, young Tilak was not able to replicate his heroics from the T20I format on his ODI debut as he fell for 5. Tilak looked to take his time in the middle on a sporting pitch that was offering assistance to both pacers and spinners. However, Tilak was out, bowled by Tanzim after the young left-hander left a delivery that moved in and hit the top of the off stump.

Gill found a stable partner in KL Rahul, who once again looked solid against the spin threat. Rahul played the ball late, more often than not, and kept the scoreboard moving. However, the wicketkeeper-batter threw his wicket away while trying to hit Mahedi Hasan into the mid-wicket boundary.

A 37-run stand was snapped after which Ishan Kishan fell cheaply. Ishan, who had been in good form, was out LBW to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Then came Suryakumar Yadav, who looked edgy throughout his stay in the middle. While singles and doubles when batting with a well-set Shubman Gill would have helped, Suryakumar tried to take on the spinners by playing risky shots during his 34-ball stay. Suryakumar, the World No. 1 T20I batter, played one too many cross-batter shots and he lost his wicket when trying to sweep a full delivery from, Shakib Al Hasan.

It was lack of composure and ODI batting awareness from Suryakumar Yadav as he kept trying to take on the best spinner in the opposition bowling unit before Shakib had the last laugh.

The World No. 1 T20I batter has now gone 21 ODIs without a fifty-plus score as concerns over his form increase in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has not done much with the bat in ODIs this year, failed once again in Asia Cup as he was out bowled when trying to hit Mustafizur Rahman into the orbit. It was an irresponsible shot from a senior batter as he got out as early as the 38th over.

However, Axar Patel played a sensational knock with the bat in the end, stitching a 39-run partnership with Shubman Gill, who got to his hundred and then gave it away while trying to accelerate.

Axar then stitched a 40-run stand with Shardul Thakur, who was struggling to get going. However, Axar, having a couple of blows to his hand, hit 42 off just 33 balls and kept India in the hunt.

However, Mustafizur Rahman knocked over Axar Patel in the penultimate over as the India all-rounder was trying to clear the boundary ropes. Axar looked dejected as he was not able to take India past the finish line in a thrilling finish to the dead rubber.

SHAKIB AND BANGLADESH TAIL SHINE
Earlier in the day, India got off to a fine start with the ball after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field. Despite not having their pace spearheads Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, India got early wickets with the new ball as Shardul Thakur picked up two early wickets while returning Mohammed Shami took one, sending back Litton Das for 0.

Bangladesh slipped to 60 for 4 but Bangladesh got a 91-run stand between captain Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy, who continued to impress.

It was Shardul who returned to pick up the wicket of Shakib, who fell 20 runs short of his hundred.

Bangladesh were down to 6 for 160. However, the tail wagged and Bangladesh posted 265 in 50 overs with Nasum Ahmed’s 44 and Mahedi Hasan’s 29 helping them clinch the crucial runs, which proved decisive in the end.