India dominated Bangladesh in the Asian Games 2023 semi-final and secured their spot in the final with a crushing nine-wicket win. On a turning deck, Tilak Varma (55*) and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (40*) led the charge as India reached the target in just 9.2 overs. Earlier, Sai Kishore (3/12) and Washington Sundar (2/15) shone with the ball, limiting Bangladesh to 96 in their 20 overs.
Batting conditions in Hangzhou were far from ideal, leading to Bangladesh’s struggle in building partnerships. Pervez Hossain Emon’s painstaking 23 was the highest individual score. Jaker Ali’s unbeaten 24* and Rakibul Hasan’s brief cameo of 14 pushed Bangladesh to 96/9.
Indian spinners, led by Sai Kishore and Sundar, capitalized on the turning pitch. Ravi Bishnoi, Tilak Varma, debutant Shahbaz Ahmed, and Arshdeep Singh also contributed with a wicket each.
In their chase of 97 runs, India faced an early setback as Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in the first over. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma took charge, quickly changing the game’s complexion. Gaikwad played aggressively with powerful shots, while Varma displayed finesse with precise flicks. They combined counter-attacks expertly, reaching the pitch of the ball while playing spin and using the pace of fast bowlers to find gaps. During the powerplay, they scored 68 runs, nearly sealing the game.
After consolidating their position, they navigated the overs following the powerplay before accelerating, with Tilak Varma reaching his half-century. A consistent run rate of 10 ensured the target was achieved before the halfway point. India now awaits the winner of the Afghanistan or Pakistan match in the final, vying for the gold medal.