Team India suffered a narrow 6-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the last Super-4 match of the ongoing Asia Cup at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Friday (September 15).
Having qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 final, India made five changes to their playing XI for the Bangladesh game. However, the likes of debutant Tilak Varma and reserve middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav failed to make a mark.
Despite the loss, India skipper Rohit Sharma wasn’t concerned at all as he wanted to “look at the bigger picture.”
“We wanted to give some game time to the guys, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Not compromising on how we wanted to play this game. We wanted to get in some players who are likely to play the World Cup,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
Chasing 266 to win, the Men in Blue lost Rohit for a two-ball duck while Tilak Varma fell for 5 batting at No. 3. However, Shubman Gill led the charge for India as he added 57 runs for the third wicket with KL Rahul (19) to steady the ship.
Even though India kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Gill held the one end firmly and brought up his fifth ODI ton on a tough pitch off 117 balls.
Shubman was looking determined to finish the game but the right-handed opener miscued a shot against Mahedi Hasan and fell for 121 off 133 balls (8 fours and 5 sixes).
While Akshar Patel tried his best to take India over the line with an attacking knock of 34-ball 42, he didn’t get enough support from the other end. In the end, India’s innings folded for 259 in 49.5 overs.
Rohit Sharma was full of praise for Akshar, who took the game deep after Gill’s dismissal.
“Akshar batted brilliantly, but couldn’t finish. He showed a lot of character. But credit to the Bangladesh bowlers.”
The Indian captain had special praise reserved for Shubman Gill, who slammed his fifth ODI hundred on a turning track.
“Gill’s hundred was brilliant. He backs his game, he knows exactly how he wants to play. Pretty clear on what he wants to do for the team. Look at his form over the last year (average of 72). He has been pretty solid against the new ball. He works really hard,” Rohit concluded.
India will take on tournament co-host Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final at the same venue in Colombo on Sunday (September 17).
