Asia Cup 2018 India vs Bangladesh: India’s Road to The Final

Asia Cup 2018: India have been unbeaten in the tournament and defeated Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan twice en route their journey to the finals where they will be locking horns with Bangladesh.

Team India, after a gruelling two-month tour to United Kingdom where they suffered crushing defeats in the ODI and Test series, came to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in search for their seventh Asia Cup title. India started their title defence against qualifiers Hong Kong before facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the group stage. The Men in Blue topped their group and entered the Super Fours where they took on Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

And on Friday (September 28), the number two ranked ODI side will take on Mashrafe Mortaza’s men to defend their Asia Cup title.

Here’s a look at India’s journey so far

India vs Hong Kong Group Stage

India opened its Asia Cup 2018 campaign against Hong Kong in a way which surprised many. They were made to toil hard to earn their win. Shikhar Dhawan, who had a horrid time in England, scored a fine century to help India reach 285/7 in their 50 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong openers Nizakat Khan and skipper Anshuman Rath played one of the most amazing innings of their lifetime and stitched a brilliant 174 run opening partnership. However, once Anshuman departed for 73, Hong Kong suffered a batting collapse. India, somehow, managed to restrict Hong Kong to 259 runs in their 50 overs, thus surviving what could have been one of the biggest upsets of the year.

India vs Pakistan Group Stage

The match between the two Asian giants are always expected to be a cracker one in which balance swings from one side to the other. However, it was not the case this time. The two sides, who were meeting after the 2017 Champions Trophy final where India were comprehensively defeated by 180 runs at The Oval, failed to provide fans with any of those nail-biting moments which make for an India-Pakistan clash. Pakistan batsmen failed to deliver as Indian pacers dominated from the start. All-rounder Kedar Jadhav later joined the party and did further damage to the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side who were bundled out for 162. India reached the target in just 29 overs and topped their group.

India vs Bangladesh Super Four Stage

Going into the Super Fours, India suffered injury blows as Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shradul Thakur compounded India’s woes. However, Ravindra Jadeja stepped up and came to India’s rescue. Jadeja, who was playing an ODI after 15 months, returned with figures of 4/29 and helped India restrict Bangladesh for 173. India successfully chased down the target in 36.2 overs with seven wickets in hand.

India vs Pakistan Super Four Stage

It was for the second time in a week that India and Pakistan were meeting in Dubai. It was expected from the Men in Green to come with an improved performance. However, none of that happened. India dominated their neighbours in totality throughout the match. After restricting them to 238, India rode on stupendous centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma and won the match with nine wickets in hand. In the process, they also booked their place in the finals.

India vs Afghanistan Super Four Stage

The match, being a dead rubber, turned out to be the most exciting and thrilling matches in the recent past. Mohammad Shahzad’s blistering ton helped Afghanistan post 253 run target for India. However, the match ended in a tie, as Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed on the second last delivery of the 50th over.