Surya remains confident amid concerns over India’s middle-order, fielding: 'With the bowling lineup we have...'

India captain Suryakumar Yadav faced questions over his team’s decisions in their Asia Cup Super 4s match against Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday, including and especially the decision to promote all-rounder Shivam Dube when the Men in Blue were yet to be guaranteed a place in the final.

Despite not bringing their ‘A’ game into the contest for the third match in a row, with Men in Blue suffering another batting collapse after a strong start and dropping several catches, Surya and Co collected another comfortable victory to become the first team to qualify for the final.

The decision to Dube ahead of captain Surya as well as other hard-hitting batters including Sanju Samson did come as a surprise, especially for cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar along with a host of other experts as well as fans.

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Speaking to Manjrekar during the post-match presentation after leading India to a 41-run victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, their fifth win in as many matches in the ongoing tournament, ‘SKY’ offered an explanation for the decision making while reiterating that the Men in Blue wanted to set a target in the Super 4s ahead of the final.

“We didn’t get to bat first in this tournament, I think we batted first against Oman but we wanted to bat first in the Super Fours and see how it goes,” Surya said after the match, in which Bangladesh stand-in captain Jaker Ali opted to field.

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“Looking at their bowling lineup, they had a left-arm spinner and a leg spinner, I think Dube was perfect for that occasion in that 7-15 overs range. But it didn’t work, that’s how things go,” he added.

Surya also did not appear too concerned regarding India’s inability to breach the 180-mark despite the strong start, expressing faith in his bowling unit’s ability to win matches with “12-14 good overs”.

“If the outfield would have been really fast, it would have been 180-185 but with the bowling lineup we have, if we bowl 12-14 good overs, we will win on most occasions,” Surya continued.

‘I go with the flow’: Abhishek

In-form opener Abhishek Sharma, meanwhile, collected the Player of the Match Award for the second consecutive match after top-scoring with an explosive 75 off 37 deliveries. After his 74 against Pakistan on Sunday, the southpaw appeared set for his third T20I century when he was run-out at the non-striker’s end by a brilliant piece of fielding by Rishad Hossain at backward point.

Abhishek’s knock, however, would prove to be the difference between the two sides in the end, with the Bangla Tigers falling well short of the Indian total on a Dubai wicket that appeared slightly slower than the surface on which 345 runs had been scored just three days ago.

“I got the job done for my team, I have told before also, I go with the flow. When it’s in my range, I go after it even if it’s the first ball and try to get the powerplay for my team. In a few matches, I wanted to go after the first ball because there are certain bowlers who want to get a wicket off the first ball,” the Sunrisers Hyderabad opener said after being named the Player of the Match.

“This was a fresh wicket, I wanted to have a look, the ball was swinging and seaming. So me and Shubman decided to have a look and then go. I always wanted to go with the field, I always see the field and then go for my shots. I want to play according to the field. I have done a lot of work in the practice sessions, that is a time when the batter gets to play a lot of balls. When you play too many shots in the net, you can get out but I practice and try to not to get out in the nets,” he added.

Jaker credits Tigers for fightback with ball

Bangladesh captain Jaker, who led the side in wicketkeeper-captain Litton Das’ absence after the latter was ruled out with a side strain, credited his team for their fightback with the ball. India appeared set for a score in excess of 200 thanks to the fireworks off Abhishek’s bat – which helped the Men in Blue score 55 runs between overs 4 to 6 after just 17 runs in the first three.

Surya’s men, however, lost wickets in a heap in the middle overs and ultimately could not cross the 170-mark, finishing on 168/6.

“It’s quite surprising, but I take the preparation. All the credit goes to the boys, after ten overs they adjusted brilliantly. We can take lots of things from this game, we have another game tomorrow. We have to keep in mind that we can win tomorrow and play the final. Let’s see what kind of combination we are going to go but we will give our best,” Jaker said after the match.

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Bangladesh will be in action less than 24 hours later when they face Pakistan in what is a virtual semi-final, with the winner set to meet the unbeaten India in Sunday’s final.

Friday’s meeting between India and Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has effectively been reduced to a dead rubber with the Lankans having been knocked out after back-to-back defeats in the Super 4s despite winning all three matches in the group stage.

While the Lankans will be playing for pride, it remains to be seen if India tweak their playing XI or stick to the winning combination heading into the final.