India vs Bangladesh, Highlights, Asia Cup 2018 Final at Dubai, Full Cricket Score: Jadhav, Kuldeep guide India to thrilling win

Rohit Sharma, India captain: We played good cricket throughout the tournament. This is the reward for hard work. Games like these can happen and credit to the guys to handle that pressure. To cross the finish line was a great effort. You have to give credit to them, they batted very well. When the ball gets older, we knew we can get back in the game. The spinners never allowed them to get off the hook. I think when you have a team like that, job of captain becomes easy. Credit goes to all boys who take away the pressure whenever required.

I would like to thank crowd who came out in huge numbers and supported us.

Mashrafe Mortaza: We fight till the last ball, but we did a lot of mistakes. I think if you look at our bowling, everytime we scored more than 240, we won the matches. Bowlers done a great job. The way they were scoring, that was the time to check the runs. Couldn’t bring any spinners (at that stage). Which is why I left the last over for Mahmudullah or Soumya.

Dhawan: Really enjoyed playing in the tournament. I would like to go that way in future as well. I would like to carry on the consistency. Batting with Rohit helps a lot. He at the top matters a lot to me. He also had a great Asia Cup.

Shikhar Dhawan is the Man of the Tournament for scoring 342 runs in Asia Cup 2018.

Liton Das has been named the Man of the Match, for scoring 121 off 117 balls in the final.

Most ODI tournaments’ finals won in the 50th over:

3 – INDIA*

2 – Pakistan

1 – Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies

Win off the last ball in ODI tournament finals:

Pakistan v India, Sharjah, 1986

India v Bangladesh, Dubai, 2018*

Most Asia Cup ODI titles won by teams:

6 – INDIA*
5 – Sri Lanka 
2 – Pakistan

Part of most international tournaments’ finals’ wins among Indians:

17 – Sachin Tendulkar
16 – Mohammad Azharuddin
10 – Ajay Jadeja, Anil Kumble, MS DHONI*

Most matches won in Asia Cup history:(ODIs & T20Is)

36 – INDIA*
35 – Sri Lanka
28 – Pakistan 

This is India’s 700th win in international cricket. 

Most matches won in international cricket:

995 – Australia
767 – England 
700* – India
693 – Pakistan 
604 – West Indies 

After 8 ODIs as a captain:

Virat Kohli – 7 wins, 1 defeat
Rohit Sharma – 7 wins, 1 defeat

Ravi Shastri, India head coach: Everyone knows how well we played in England. This is a different format. I liked the intensity. People thought guys will be reasonably flat after spending such a long time in England. But the boys pulled their socks up. The ability to keep taking wickets was a positive sign. The biggest plus is our fielding. We have fielded well. Rohit always looks in control. He has a calming influence in he middle. His bowling changes were very good today.

Jadeja: I was out for 15 months, and wasn’t feeling good. I was thinking whenever I get my opportunity, Ill try and prove myself. Was just thinking of my game. You have to prove yourself that you are good enough to play 50-over cricket. 

Bhuvneshwar: Hong Kong was a wake-up call for me. After that the way I bowled in every match, I was very happy. My plan was simple, not to give any drive balls. He’s an amazing bowler. We keep talking in between, how to stop certain batsmen.

Kuldeep Yadav: It a was a bit difficult to adjust the length and speed. It gets better as you bowl in these conditions. In first game, I was struggling to get the length right.

Kedar Jadhav: I was in this situation before. I knew it was easy to score singles when the field was up. I am still a batsman who can bowl.

What a dramatic finish this has been! A match worthy of a final. Seventh Asia Cup title for India.

Feel, the partnership between Jadeja and Bhuvi has been the most crucial phase of this run-chase. However, let’s cometh the fighting spirits of Bangladesh as well. With a depleted team they have run India close here. Feel, now it is formally proved that in the 50-over format Bangladesh are the second best Asia team.

INDIA WIN

Mahmudullah fires it on legs of Jadhav, ball deflects of his legs to fine leg, the batsmen run and take the single. India win Asia Cup for record 7th time.

Ball 5: Kuldeep sweeps and the ball deflects off his pads to point and the batsmen run. Match is now tied. India cannot lose. Need 1 to win.

Ball 4: Yorker length, dot ball from Mahmudullah. India need 2 off 2 now.

Ball 3: Sweeps it to cow corner, it looked like four but the sweeper at mid-wicket cleared it. 2 runs. India need 2 off 3 now.

Ball 2: Mahmudullah to Jadhav, taps to leg side and takes a single. 4  off 4 now.

Ball 1: Mahmudullah to Kuldeep, full in length, Kuldeep takes a single, hitting it to long-off.

No, Mortaza changes his mind there and throws the ball to Mahmudullah to bowl the last over.

Soumya Sarkar, rigth arm medium, to bowl the last over of the day. This is a big move.

Alright, hold on as we bring you ball-by-ball updates in the last over.

After 49 overs,India 217/7 ( Kedar Jadhav 22 , Kuldeep Yadav 1)

Alright hold your breath as Bhuvneshwar Kumar departs too. So an limping Kedar Jadhav and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle. Tension everywhere. With all main bowlers finished. Mortaza will have to turn to either Mehidy Hasan or Mahmudullah to bowl the last over. India need 6 off 6 balls.

Kuldeep Yadav, left handed batsman, come out to bat

OUT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has nicked this one into the hands of keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, is this the wicket Bangladesh were looking for? Bhuvneshwar c Rahim b Mustafizur 21(31)

Mustafizur to bowl his last over.

After 48 overs,India 214/6 ( Kedar Jadhav 20 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 21)

What a spell has Rubel Hossain has bowled here. Took the wicket of Jadeja when it looked all done and dusted for him. Jadhav has walked in again. He hops again as well, trying to take a single. Bhuvi shows maturity and takes a single off the last ball. India need 9 off 12. Hossain ends with 2 wickets in 10 overs for just 25 runs.

Breath in, India as Kedar Jadhav is walking out.

OUT! Jadeja tries to squeeze the ball through the covers, Rahim caught it and appealed. Umpire turned it down but Bangladesh took DRS and the replay showed that he indeed had touched the ball. He has to go. Jadeja c Rahim b Rubel 23(33)

Hossain continues.

After 47 overs,India 210/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 21 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 20)

Mustafizur The Fizz Rahman is back. Two dots on the first two balls. Single off the third ball. He has stuck to back of the length deliveries. Good stuff from him. Two more dots and then a boundary. All the pressure created has gone in a jiffy. India now need 13 off 18.

FOUR! This will hurt Bangladesh as Mustafizur pitches this on leg stump line, Bhuvi deflects the ball off his legs for a boundary to fine leg.

That six perhaps has sealed the title for India. Less than 20 required from here. Feel, Bangladesh should have attacked with Rubel and Fizz a bit earlier.

Mustafizur Rahman is back on.

After 46 overs,India 205/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 20 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 16)

Bhuvneshwar tries to go big over mid-on but yet again does not connect well. Hossain goes shorter and slower on the next ball as ball sails over Bhuvi very slowly. Bhuvi hits him for six on the next ball and then a single off the fourth ball. Have India cracked this or do we have another twist left in this game? Need 18 off 24 now.

SIX! Bravo, says the Indian spectators as Bhuvneshwar Kumar lifts this pitches up delivery and dispatches it over long-off boundary for a maximum.

Hossain back on, for what would be a decisive last spell of his.

After 45 overs,India 197/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 19 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10)

Mortaza brings Mahmudullah back into the attack in the 45th over. Bhuvneshwar lofts the ball inside out to clear the circle, and come back for a second. Singles off the next three deliveries, with Mahmudullah finishing the over with a dot. Six off the over. India need 26 off 30.

Mahmudullah brought back into the attack.

After 44 overs,India 191/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 17 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 6)

Mortaza is back on. Bowls two dots and then a wide. Bhuvneshwar is getting frustrated after missing to hit some bad deliveries. Mortaza bowls a gem of a spell, taking one wickets for 35 runs in his 10. India need 32 off 36.

Mortaza is back on.

After 43 overs,India 187/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 15 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5)

Rubel Hossain into the attack now. Jadeja came out to take him on. Not the first time he has tried to do something as needless as this at such a crunch situation. He should not be worried even if there is a maiden bowled here. Likewise, Bangladesh should not let the shoulders go down when a boundary is hit. Hossain has been brilliant today, no matter what is the result of the match. India need 36 off 42.

Rubel Hossain back on.

After 42 overs,India 186/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 14 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5)

Spinners from both the ends. Bhuvi takes a single off the first ball. Jadeja takes 2 runs and that asks for a short meeting between captain and the bowler. The next ball goes for a boundary. Pressure releasing now off India. Need 37 off 48.

FOUR! Fullish and Jadeja goes straight, goes past the bowler, stumps and umpire, the fielder at long-on tried but he had no chance whatsoever.

Ravindra Jadeja’s last five List-A scores:

25, 14, 15, 56, 113*

India’s RR of 5.61 in the death overs (41-50) in this year in ODIs is the lowest among all the teams. 

We have a match on our hands, don’t we?

Islam is back on

After 41 overs,India 178/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 7 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4)

Mehidy Hasan comes into the attack. Good move, considering India would be needing some boundaries here and his slow pace will make sure, Indians try and play the big shots. Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar keeping it going with singles. Three off the last ball. India now need 45 off 54.

Mehidy Hasan comes into the attack.

After 40 overs,India 172/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 5 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1)

Bangladesh keeps a tight leash on Indians. They are not letting the pressure tab go off. Inside edge off Jadeja’s bat, misses Rahim too and it almost touched the helmet placed behind the keeper. Could have been really bad for Bangladesh had that touched as it would have produced 5 runs for India. India need 51 runs in 60 balls

Can Jadeja finish the game from here and compensate for the Afghanistan game? Also, from India’s point of view calling back Jadhav was a sensible decision. He was not being able to run those quick singles. Though, towards the end if needed he will bat again.

Mortaza continues.

After 39 overs,India 169/5 ( Ravindra Jadeja 2 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1)

Bhuvneshwar has arrived in the middle but not because a wicket is fallen. Jadhav has gone back retired hurt. He was not able to run those quick singles very important in these tricky chases. Mustafizur beats Bhuvi straightaway. He can bat. He can surely bat. Also has a calm head. But this is a big situation, final of a tournament. Just 2 from the over. India need 54 runs in 66 balls.

Jadhav was really struggling with his hamstring out there. In fact, the dressing room is calling him back. Bhuvi is coming out to bat. Massive moment in the match. Now Bangladesh have a genuine chance.

Mustafizur continues

Alright, Jadhav is going back retired hurt and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is walking in.

After 38 overs,India 167/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 19 , Ravindra Jadeja 5)

Mortaza continues. Right on target from Ball 1. Jadhav is unable to hit and run. There is a message from Rohit Sharma to stay there. Jadhav is trying to play the big shots right now. The Indian dressing room is animated. Jadhav played the four balls and then takes a single. On the last ball, a boundary comes to calm everything down.

FOUR! Runs, important runs for India, through leg byes, through the fine leg.

Bangladesh are not going down without a fight, The wicket of Dhoni has once again given them a sniff of hope. Excellent captaincy by Mortaza here. He has brought his wicket-taker Fizz back and going for the wickets. For India, Jadhav is the key. He has to score the bulk of the runs from here.

Mashrafe Mortaza back on.

After 37 overs,India 162/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 18 , Ravindra Jadeja 1)

India in troube now. Dhoni has been removed and pressure on India back. Problem is that Jadhav is injured. Jadeja comes in. He has shown great maturity in the last innings. Jadhav is now looking to play his shots. Right now, the Indian dressing room is deep into discussion. Everyone seems to be around captain Rohit Sharma and physio Patrick, maybe discussing how grave Jadhav’s injury is. India need 61 off 78.

Ravindra Jadeja, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! BIG WICKET, Ball shaping away from MS Dhoni, he tries to play it through the covers, ball takes the edge and Rahim collects it behind the wicket. Dhoni c Rahim b Mustafizur 36(67)

After 36 overs,India 160/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 36 , Kedar Jadhav 17)

Islam continues after a good ten-minutes break. Jadhav takes a single on the third ball and hops to the other end. This is not a good sign at all. This means that Dhoni would not be able to convert the singles into doubles, which is usual game in ODIs.

Islam continues

Alright game resumes.

India physio Patrick is bandaging Jadhav’s thigh, maybe too hold the muscles together. The game remains pause for the moment.

Jadhav has removed is right pad and is now sitting on the ground. He has taken a pill too.

Medical help is out for Jadhav, who was stretching his legs after taking a single off the last ball.

After 35 overs,India 154/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 35 , Kedar Jadhav 12)

The Fizz is back. This is the time to take a wicket. If the target goes below fifty without a wicket going down here. It will be difficult for Bangladesh. A risky single on the last ball and Jadhav instantly checks his hamstring. Hope he is fine here. India need 69 to win.

Mustafizur back on.

After 34 overs,India 152/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 34 , Kedar Jadhav 11)

The good thing about Jadhav is that he has not taken too many deliveries to get settled. He is quickly off the blocks and has scored 11 off 8 balls. Finisher Dhoni too comes into his zone. You can see the process as Dhoni taps one on leg side and takes a single. The body language tells you he wants to finish this one. It is his territory now.

Islam is back on.

After 33 overs,India 147/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 31 , Kedar Jadhav 9)

Mahmudullah continues. Jadhav hits a six on the second ball. Damage done in the over. Relaxes the nerves these early boundaries in the over. Target now down to 76 runs.

SIX! Jadhav sees the flighted ball, comes downtown and smashes it big and the ball hits the top of sight screen.

Mahmudullah continues

After 32 overs,India 139/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 30 , Kedar Jadhav 2)

Hossain continues. The ball is shaping in late now. We again have a lull period in the game after departure of Karthik. Dhoni knows he cannot get out now. Needs to be there till the end. India need 84 runs in 18 overs.

Hossain continues

After 31 overs,India 139/4 ( MS Dhoni (W) 30 , Kedar Jadhav 2)

Mahmudullah has done it for Bangladesh, picked the wicket just at the right time. Karthik has again thrown the wicket at a wrong time. That was the not the ball to get out on. Missed the full-toss completely.

Kedar Jadhav, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! That’s a goner, Mahmudullah fires it in and it hits him on the boots, right in front of the stumps. He is out LBW. Karthik lbw b Mahmudullah 37(61)​

Mahmudullah continues

The partnership is slowly but steadily deciding the fate of this match. Under pressure, excellent temperament has been shown by Dinesh Karthik. Following the wicket of Rohit, he along with Dhoni haven’t allowed to Bangladesh build any sort of pressure. It is India’s match from here.

After 30 overs,India 135/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 37 , MS Dhoni (W) 29)

Hossain continues. Karthik is on 37 now. He has got good starts like this earlier in the tournament and needs to convert this one into a solid score. India need 88 in 20 overs.

Hossain back on

Highest average batting at No.5 in ODIs: (Min.1000 runs)

77.96 – AB de Villiers
52.58 – MS DHONI*
52.29 – Angelo Mathews 

He is showing his experience on the field currently by playing percentage cricket.

After 29 overs,India 134/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 37 , MS Dhoni (W) 28)

Mahmudullah continues. Karthik gets a boundary and it will relieve him to some extent. He is continuing playing the sweeps. Plays it well.

FOUR! Flight and on leg stump line, Karthik sweeps it through the fine leg for a boundary.

Mahmudullah continues

After 28 overs,India 129/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 33 , MS Dhoni (W) 27)

Islam continues. Dhoni is now 27 off 40 balls. Looking very  calm in the end. Karthik still struggling a little to get the easy singles.

Islam continues.

DID YOU KNOW?

The highest stand between Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni is of 107* runs which came against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2007 when India were 144/5 while chasing. They are setting a match-winning stand for India currently.

After 27 overs,India 125/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 31 , MS Dhoni (W) 25)

Mahmudullah comes into the attack. Sloppy stuff from Bangladesh in the field. Cannot make these silly mistakes now when the target has come down 98 runs.

Mahmudullah, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

After 26 overs,India 120/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 29 , MS Dhoni (W) 23)

Dhoni looking better now. His footwork looks sorted now. Has been taking singles as well and not wasting too many deliveries.

FOUR! No one at deep mid-wicket, Dhoni sees the empty spot, comes out and places it exactly there to fetch a boundary.

Islam back on.

After 25 overs,India 112/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 27 , MS Dhoni (W) 17)

Dhoni is cutting loose now and this will relieve the Indian dressing room. A boundary in the over and much importantly, Dhoni looking better with every ball.

FOUR! Dhoni steps out and peltes it from the left of the bowlers for a boundary. This one indeed reached the ropes like a ‘Tracer Bullet’

Mehidy Hasan back on.

India today:

First 50 – 51 balls
Next 50 – 88 balls

After 24 overs,India 105/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 25 , MS Dhoni (W) 12)

First-ball boundary for Dhoni in the over. Hundred is up for India. Indians have taken 89 balls to completed the second fifty in the innings. Important for Dhoni and Karthik to keep the score board ticking with singles and doubles and not waste too many deliveries now.

HUNDRED up for India with a powerful Dhoni punch on the back foot. The ball raced through the covers for a boundary.

Mustafizur continues.

After 23 overs,India 99/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 25 , MS Dhoni (W) 6)

Islam continues. Dhoni is building pressure on himself and also on Karthik. Bowlers not giving an iota of room to the batsmen. Hundred still not up and we are done with 23 overs.

Islam continues.

After 22 overs,India 98/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 25 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Mustafizur is back on. There is a third slip placed for him. Pressure is certainly on Dhoni. He leaves two deliveries and then tries takes a risky single, which almost ran Karthik out. Single off the last ball.

Mustafizur Rahman back on

After 20 overs:

Bangladesh: 116/0
India: 90/3

After 21 overs,India 97/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 25 , MS Dhoni (W) 4)

Nazmul Islam is brought back into the attack. Six in the over after many overs but Islam came back strongly in the over to bowl two dots.

SIX! Crunch is the sound from the bat as Karthik rocks back and pulls it over the cow corner for a maximum.

Nazmul Islam is back into the attack

After 20 overs,India 90/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 19 , MS Dhoni (W) 3)

Mortaza continues. Karthik and Dhoni are taking their own sweet time to get settled. They can afford to do that as the required rate is still under 5. Just 2 from the over.

Mortaza continues

After 19 overs,India 88/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 18 , MS Dhoni (W) 2)

Hossain continues. Bangladesh fielders are throwing their bodies on the ball. Hossain has shown great discipline with the ball as well. Has kept a tight line and changed the length. 3 from the over.

Rohit Sharma missed out on becoming the first captain to score four consecutive 50-plus scores in Asia Cup history.

Hossain continues.

After 18 overs,India 85/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 17 , MS Dhoni (W) 1)

This is an ideal situation for someone like MS Dhoni. He is struggling for runs and not just in this tournament but has been out of touch since the England ODIs. Leaves the slower one from Mortaza. Could have been a single there but seems he wants to spend some more time.

MS Dhoni’s scores in ODI tournament finals:

7, 11, 15*, 36, 64, 49, 56, 14, 38, 67, 91*, 0, 45*, 4

A big innings due from him today if India want to win.

Now we have a match on our hand. A set Rohit Sharma goes back. One needs to give credit to Mashrafe’s field placement here. He set an attacking field. There was no easy single on offer and it prompted Rohit to go for that shot.

Mortaza continues

After 17 overs,India 83/3 ( Dinesh Karthik 16 , MS Dhoni (W) 0)

Hossain’s hard work has paid off. He kept on angling in to Rohit. He was pumped up after the wicket. Big one too. Rohit was in very good touch. Dhoni and Karthik in the middle now.

MS Dhoni, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! The hard work pays off for Rubel Hossain. Rohit swings his bat freely but the ball goes straight down the throat of Nazmul Islam at backward square leg. Falls 2 runs short off his fifty. Rohit c Nazmul Islam b Rubel 48(55)

Hossain continues.

After 16 overs,India 83/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 48 , Dinesh Karthik 16)

Mortaza continues. The replay shows that Karthik could have been gone as he lazily put the ball inside the crease a mili-second before ball hit the stumps at the non-strikers’ end. Hopefully, a lesson learnt there. Batting coach Sanjay Bangar was explaining Jadhav the importance of dragging the ball inside the crease and not merely putting it. Basics of cricket that should have been learnt years ago, to be honest. 4 runs of the over.

Mortaza continues.

After 15 overs,India 79/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 47 , Dinesh Karthik 13)

Rohit is watchful but never misses an opportunity to score off when the opportunity arises. He was denied a boundary or at least a double on the penultimate ball, played with a straight ball, it ended up hitting the stumps. Big mix up on the last ball as Rohit ran playing a similar-looking shot, called for  a run, and then stopped Karthik in between. Confusion, confusion but no damage done.

SIX! Surprise bouncer, well directed at Rohit, but such is the form of the batsman that he was alert and pulled it in time, to get a maximum at deep fine leg.

Hossain continues

After 14 overs,India 73/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 41 , Dinesh Karthik 13)

Rohit has moved into 40s. He is top form at the moment. Two fifties and and one hundred to his name in the last 3 ODIs. Mortaza bowling some beautiful slower ones. Karthik got beaten on one of them, steers the other one to third man for a double. The target has now come down to 150.

Mortaza continues

After 13 overs,India 67/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 39 , Dinesh Karthik 9)

Hossain continues. He is trying to angle it in to both the batsmen. Rohit and Karthik has rotated the strike pretty well in this over. This is the sort of gameplan required right now. Hossain has been very creative too from the other end, not sticking to one particular length, keeps on surprising the batsman.

Hossain continues.

Rubel continues.

After 12 overs,India 63/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 38 , Dinesh Karthik 7)

Mortaza continues. Bangladesh are fighting it out in the middle and this is a crucial phase for both sides. Dot balls might not create pressure on India as the target is less but it will certainly keep Bangladesh hopes alive.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mashrafe Mortaza who became the first Bangladesh bowler to take 250 wickets in ODIs with Rayudu’s wicket. He has put India under pressure with consistent bowling changes so far.

Mortaza continues.

After 11 overs,India 58/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Dinesh Karthik 3)

Pace from both the ends now as Rubel Hossain comes into the attack. He is attacking the stumps and this is very good to see from the Bangladesh bowlers. They are constantly looking to take the wickets. In trying to do so, Hossain bowled five dot balls on the run. Just one, which came off the last ball.

Rubel Hossain, right-arm fast medium, into the attack now.

After 10 overs,India 57/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 36 , Dinesh Karthik 3)

What a start to the over as Rohit played an effortless shot for a boundary through the covers. Mortaza has placed a wide first slip for Karthik. He is batting from some inches outside the batting crease. Keeps on missing the inswingers as he tries to play them to the leg side. Needs to calm down for a moment.

FOUR! Elegant shot from Rohit as he weights for the ball, stands and delivers through covers for an effortless boundary.

Mortaza continues

After 9 overs,India 52/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 31 , Dinesh Karthik 3)

FIFTY for India in ninth over. Rohit going strong for India. Into 30s and looking in good touch. Great time for Karthik, to justify his value at the posittion he is batting at – Number 4.

Dinesh Karthik’s scores while chasing in his last six ODIs:

44, 1*, 31*, 26*, 64*, 50*

It’s a big day and time for him to stamp his authority on the No.4 spot by playing a crucial knock under pressure.

Islam continues

After 8 overs,India 48/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 29 , Dinesh Karthik 1)

Mashrafe Mortaza brings himself into the attack. Bangladesh needed one more wicket here and the captain has provided the same. Rayudu is gone. Dinesh Karthik is the new man in. India need a quick partnership.

Bangladesh have to take a leaf out of Afghanistan’s book. On Tuesday, despite that opening stand between Rahul and Rayudu, the Afghan bowlers hung around, bowled tightly and put pressure on India. Mashrafe should imply that strategy here. With two quick wickets, there is pressure on India right now.

Dinesh Karthik, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Rayudu has to depart, inswinger, Rayudu plays the wrong line, ball takes the edge and flies to Rahim behind the wickets. India two down now. Rayudu c Rahim b Mortaza 2(7)

Mashrafe Mortaza, right-arm fast medium, into the attack now

After 7 overs,India 45/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 28 , Ambati Rayudu 2)

Islam continues. Dull over. Just 2 off it. India taking it easy now. Runs will come. The duo should look to form partnership.

Shikhar got carried away. That was an unnecessary shot. Nevertheless, will this breakthrough open the floodgates? Bangladesh are certainly hoping so. But, to make a match out of it, perhaps they need the wicket of Rohit as early as possible.

Islam continues

After 6 overs,India 43/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 27 , Ambati Rayudu 1)

Mustafizur continues. India have lost Dhawan but still, there is no need to panic really. Six to finish off the over.

SIX! Short ball and Rohit pulls this to deep mid-wicket, flattish shot.

Mustafizur continues

Most runs in an Asia Cup ODI tournament for India:

372 – Suresh Raina, 2008
357 – Virat Kohli, 2012
348 – Virender Sehwag, 2008
342 – Shikhar Dhawan, 2018*
327 – MS Dhoni, 2008

After 5 overs,India 35/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 20 , Ambati Rayudu 0)

Islam comes into the attack, gets hit for a six and then a four. In the same over, he has taken a wicket, does a nagin dance too to celebrate the wicket. Too much emotion for a cricketer to go through in one over.

Ambati Rayudu, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Wait, what? This is the laziest shot in the history of international cricket as Dhawan tries to play who-knows-where, ended up giving a simple catch to the man at mid-off. Dhawan c Soumya Sarkar b Nazmul Islam 15(14)

FOUR! Bad bowling, wide off the leg stump line, Dhawan peddle sweeps it for a boundary.

SIX! What a welcome to Islam, short ball and Rohit sees it big, rocks back and hits him over the deep mid-wicket for a big one.

Nazmul Islam, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

After 4 overs,India 24/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 13 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Mustafizur continues. Keeping it tight. Not letting any of the openers open their shoulders. One bad delivery though ruins the good over as Dhawan smashes a thundering shot through between the covers and point.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mehidy Hasan is the first Bangladesh player to both open the batting and bowling for them in a same ODI match.

FOUR! Wow shot, pitched outside the off stump, and Dhawan smashes his through the covers.

Scores in ODI tournament finals:

Rohit Sharma – 66, 2, 24, 3, 41, 5, 9, 58, 0
 

Shikhar Dhawan – 31, 16, 21

Mustafizur continues

After 3 overs,India 17/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 10 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Poor bowling from Mehidy Hasan. Even if Mustafizur tries to put pressure from one end, this lousy bowling will make Bangladesh suffer, in defence of 223 runs.

FOUR! Poor bowling from Hasan, short and going down leg, Rohit rocks back and pulls it for a boundary.

Hasan continues.

After 2 overs,India 12/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 7)

Mustafizur Rahman into the attack. There was some confusion on the last ball of the over between the two batsmen while running a single. No need of such unnecessary risks at all. The target of 223 is not daunting and the pitch so far has played well. If India gets off to a decent start, it will be difficult for the bowling side to make a comeback. Possible only if India does a Bangladesh, making silly mistakes with the bat in hand. 

The Fizz removed the slip for Dhawan and placed it at Square Leg. Huge LBW appeal on the next ball but to no avail. Too high maybe. Just 2 from the over.

Mustafizur Rahman, left-arm fast medium, bowls from the other end

MEN IN FORM!

Scores in this Asia Cup:

Rohit Sharma – 53, 52, 83*, 111*
Shikhar Dhawan – 127, 46, 40, 114

After 1 overs,India 10/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 5)

Mehidy Hasan opens the bowling for Bangladesh and he starts off with an off-spinner, which Rohit taps to the leg side and opens India’s account. Dhawan starts off with a boundary. Rohit too hits a boundary to get into action straightaway. Good start for India. 10 without loss India after the first over.

FOUR! Just a deft touch with a strong bottom hand to the leg side by Rohit Sharma and he fetches a four at deep mid-wicket.

FOUR! Slightly shorter in length by Hasan and Dhawan cuts it for a boundary piercing the fielder placed at point region.

Mehidy Hasan, right arm off spin, to bowl the first over.

Alright, so India need 223 runs to win. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have come out to begin chase.

Since the 21st over, Bangladesh lost 10 for 102 to finish with a below par score here. Don’t think it will challenge India, until and unless the Tigers get some early breakthroughs. Apart from their openers and Soumya towards the end, there was hardly any application from any of the middle-order batsmen. They went for glory shots too early in their innings and perished. 

India on the other hand should feel comfortable now. When Liton and Mehidy were at the crease, they were completely rattled. But through some exceptional fielding and bowling in the second half of the innings, the defending champions have made a strong comeback here. It is their game to win now.

Bangladesh today:

1-10 overs: 65-0
11-20 overs: 51-0
21-30 overs: 31-2
31-40 overs: 31-1
41-50 overs: 44-5

After 49 overs,Bangladesh 222/10 ( Mustafizur Rahman 2 , )

Bumrah bowls what turns out to be the final over in the Bangladesh innings. Sarkar’s run out off the first ball, falling short of the striker’s end while coming back for a second run, while Ruber’s castled off a perfect yorker from Bumrah. 

India need 223 runs to lift the Asia Cup for a second consecutive time, and for a seventh time overall!

OUT! Bumrah finishes the Bangladesh innings off with a perfect yorker to castle Rubel Hossain! Bangladesh have been bowled out for 222 — collapsing from the 120/0 that they found themselves in at one point! 

Rubel b Bumrah 0(2)

OUT! Sarkar’s run-out at a crucial stage of the innings, as he’s caught short of the striker’s end while coming back for a second run. Good throw by Rayudu, running in from long on, and equally good work by MSD behind the stumps. BAN 222/9

Sarkar run out (Rayudu/Dhoni) 33(45)

After 48 overs,Bangladesh 221/8 ( Soumya Sarkar 32 , Mustafizur Rahman 2)

Sarkar guides a yorker towards fine-leg for a four off the first ball of Bhuvneshwar’s seventh over. Wide off the third delivery. Mustafizur runs the ball down the ground off a yorker off the penultimate delivery for a double. Eight off the over.

FOUR! A welcome boundary for Bangladesh! Sarkar guides a yorker from Bhuvi towards fine-leg, the fielder isn’t able to prevent a boundary. BAN 217/8

After 47 overs,Bangladesh 213/8 ( Soumya Sarkar 27 , Mustafizur Rahman 0)

Bumrah starts off his eighth over with a wide down the leg side, although there was some noise as the ball went past the batsman’s thigh. The fourth delivery sees Nazmul set off after guiding the ball towards point, with Sarkar stuck at his crease at the other end. Substitute fielder Manish Pandey runs all the way to the striker’s end to effect the run-out, as Bangladesh lose their eighth. Another mix-up off the very next ball, but Pandey this time misses a direct hit. Three runs and a run-out off the over.

OUT! Another mix-up between the batsmen, as substitute fielder Manish Pandey, fielding at point, runs all the way to the striker’s stumps to run Nazmul Islam out. BAN 213/8

Nazmul run out (Pandey) 7(13)

After 46 overs,Bangladesh 210/7 ( Soumya Sarkar 26 , Nazmul Islam 6)

Bhuvneshwar returns to the attack. Nazmul guides the ball towards extra-cover for a couple of runs off the second delivery of the over. Good running between the wickets on display between these two batters, as eight runs are collected, including three doubles.

No. of WK dismissals for MS Dhoni in his international career now – 800*

(Third WK to do so, other two: Mark Boucher and Adam Gilchrist)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack in the 46th over.

After 45 overs,Bangladesh 202/7 ( Soumya Sarkar 23 , Nazmul Islam 1)

Bumrah returns to the attack, with another four wickets left in his kitty. Sarkar grabs a single off the first ball, which brings up Bangladesh’s 200. Two more runs collected off the remaining deliveries, including a leg bye.

Jasprit Bumrah brought back into the attack in the 45th over.

After 44 overs,Bangladesh 199/7 ( Soumya Sarkar 21 , Nazmul Islam 1)

Three singles collected off Chahal’s eighth over, as new batsman Nazmul Islam Apu, who replaces Mominul Haque in this game, gets off the mark.

After 43 overs,Bangladesh 196/7 ( Soumya Sarkar 19 , Nazmul Islam 0)

Mortaza decides to slog the ball over the midwicket fence off the second delivery, clearing the boundary comfortably. However, he is stumped three balls later, as he misses while shuffling down the track, getting stumped in the process. Bangladesh seven down now. Six and a wicket off the over, as Kuldeep signs off with figures of 3/45.

Most WK dismissals in Asia Cup ODIs:

36 – MS DHONI*
36 – Kumar Sangakkara
17 – Moin Khan

Finally the resistance from Liton comes to an end. Take a bow, what an innings this has been! However, interesting decision by the television umpire. From the stump angle, it seemed there was something inside the line. Nevertheless, the collapse is really disappointing from Bangladesh’s point of view. All the hard work by the openers are being undone now.

OUT! Mashrafe looks for another big hit after collecting the six, but Kuldeep fires it well outside off on this occasion. The Bangladesh skipper misses, and the former India captain whips the bails off in a flash. BAN 196/7

Mortaza st Dhoni b Kuldeep 7(9)