INDIA CROWNED ASIA TIGERS
MEMORABLE Late fireworks by Dhoni, Shikhar’s half-century help India win first Asia Cup since 2010
India lifted the Asia Cup trophy for the sixth time after beating Bangladesh by eight wickets in the weather-hit final at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla stadium on Sunday. Chasing a total of 120 runs, India reached the target in 13.5 overs. Shikhar Dhawan was the top scorer with 60 runs.
MIRPUR: India’s aversion to change has been a constant since their three-match T20 series in Australia. The team has criticised wickets whenever they don’t favour their strength – batting.
On Sunday, in their Asia Cup final clash against Bangladesh, India got the conditions that suited the combination perfectly. A bone dry-wicket was on offer for the first time this series. India even won the toss.
However, since their return from Australia, it would appear the universe is contriving against them and handing them challenges to overcome ahead of the World Twenty20.
On Sunday, while they did get the wicket of their choice, mother-nature showed up and rained over proceedings. It delayed the game by an hour and a half and changed the playing conditions with each side now getting just 15 overs to bat.
BATTERS TO THE FORE
Against Sri Lanka, they were presented with a green wicket in their first game. In the Asia Cup it was again the same with greenish wickets remaining constant through the tournament.
This time around though, India did not let the change affect them. The batsmen held their own as they chased down Bangladesh’s first innings total of 120 runs with eight wickets to spare.
Chasing a target of 120 off 90 balls, the stage was set for the batsmen to finally deliver on a kind of wicket they were pining to play on since arriving in Bangladesh, a fortnight ago.
Like has been the norm in the series, Virat Kohli once again showed the way. The 27-yearold came in after opener Rohit Sharma departed with just five on the board. Kohli’s entry though calmed the nerves as he complemented Shikhar Dhawan well.
DHAWAN STRIKES FORM
Dhawan brought up his first half century of the series, finishing with 60 runs. Kohli meanwhile, played a matured knock at the other end with an unbeaten 41. The duo fended off the Bangladeshi attack with a fine 94-run partnership.
By the time, Dhawan returned to the pavilion, the work had been done. Skipper MS Dhoni (20) came and applied the finishing touches to hand India their first Asia Cup title in three years.
Earlier, skipper MS Dhoni elected to bowl. Some inspired bowling from R Ashwin, who opened the bowling for the first time in the series, and Jasprit Bumrah, did give India a good start. However, a counter attack by lower-order batsmen Sabbir Rahman (32) and Mohammadullah (33) looked to have changed the complexion of the game as they led Bangladesh to a respectable total.