Team India suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in their 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 wholesale changes to their playing XI for the Bangladesh game and it backfired.

The likes of debutant Tilak Varma and reserve middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav failed to make a mark as the Men in Blue fell 6 runs short while chasing the target of 266.

After the game, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said this defeat was a "wake up call for India", citing that you can't take any team lightly.

Known for his outspoken nature, Akhtar also admitted that India's defeat will be celebrated by Pakistani fans, including him.

"India have lost the game. Embarrassing loss. We can't criticise too much. Bangladesh are here to play. People were criticising Pakistan, saying that they got beaten up. Sri Lanka are a good team, not an average team. The same is the case with Bangladesh. They are all playing international cricket. Finally, some relief for the Pakistan fans, including me, that India have lost the game. Wake up call for India. You can't take teams lightly after winning a few games," Akhtar said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

With the ODI World Cup around the corner, Shoaib Akhtar also refused to call any team favourites.

"We are saying that Pakistan and India are favourites at World Cup. These two, along with Australia and England, will reach the semis. This is not the case. Small teams will trouble. This is anybody's game. Shubman Gill's ton went in vain. India need to wake up. No disrespect but Bangladesh made a statement that they are here to prove a point,” he added.

Coming to the match, Bangladesh rode on half-centuries from skipper Shakib Al Hasan (80) and Towhid Hridoy (54) to post 265/8 on the board. Nasum Ahmed also played a vital knock of 44 in 45 balls lower down the order.

In reply, the Men in Blue lost skipper Rohit Sharma 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.

Despite this loss, India will take on tournament co-host Sri Lanka in the final at the same venue in Colombo on Sunday (September 17).