Shubman Gill put on a show with the bat during India’s last Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Bangladesh in Colombo on Friday (September 15).
Chasing 266 to win, the Men in Blue lost skipper Rohit Sharma for a duck while debutant Tilak Varma fell for 5 batting at No. 3. However, 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 on a turning track, Shubman held the one end firmly and notched up his fifth ODI ton off 117 balls.
The right-handed opener was looking determined to finish the game but he mistimed a shot against Mahedi Hasan and fell for 121 off 133 balls (8 fours and 5 sixes).
While Akshar Patel (42 off 34 balls) tried his best to take India over the line, he didn’t get enough support from the other end. In the end, India’s innings folded for 259 in 49.5 overs.
After the game, Shubman Gill took to Instagram and wrote: “Not enough today but all set for the finals.”
Replying to his post, India’s World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh said while it was a good knock, Gill should’ve finished the game.
“Bad shot to get out ! Could have won the game single handed ! But nonetheless well played,” Yuvraj, who shares a strong bond with Gill, wrote.
In fact, Shubman Gill himself admitted in the post-match press conference that he should have taken the game deep instead of going for a risky shot.
"When I got out actually .... something you miscalculated and I think this there was a miscalculation from my side. If I had batted a bit normally and not that aggressively I think we should have been able to get over the line. But these are the learning for us. Sometimes you misunderstood the situation and I did the same ....I have to learn from this. This wasn't final for us and we have to learn from this," Gill told reporters.
Despite this loss, India will take on tournament co-host Sri Lanka in the final at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday (September 17).
