It was an all-round show for India with the ball and later the bat as the Men in Blue tasted victory over Bangladesh again in an intensely played final.
The Bangladeshis started well with Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan's 120-run opening wicket stand. However, a middle-order collapse meant that Bangladesh finished well short of what they would have expected. However, Liton Das was exceptional as he scored a brilliant century. The Indians however managed to contain the Bangladesh team as they lost all wickets for 222 runs.
Set a target of 223 runs to win, the Indian openers started well but then wickets started falling at regular intervals. However, some sensible batting by Dhoni and Karthik in the middle and then by Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took India closer to the target.
India needed 6 runs of the final over to win the Asia Cup. Kuldeep Yadav along with Kedhar Jadhav held on to their nerves as they picked up the winning run of the last delivery to lift the Asia Cup for a 7th time.
READ PREVIEW | India ready to tame depleted Bangla Tigers
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das , Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
Indian fans celebrate as Bhuvaneshwar Kumar heaves one past the boundary line. India now needs 20 of 27 balls to lift the Asia cup.
Some sensible batting by Jadeja and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is slowly taking the game away from Bangladesh. The Tigers are again falling victims to pressure as they leak runs. India needs 26 of 30 balls with five wickets in hand
Jadeja hits a straight drive to the boundary line. A welcome boundary for India after three overs as it will ease the pressure of the Men in Blue. 38 needed of 50 balls.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar walks out to join Ravindra Jadeja at the centre. At the end of 39 overs India are short of the target by 54 runs with five wickets in hand.
Kedar Jadhav walks back to the pavillion after the team physio instructs him to return. The hard-hitting Jadhav had hurt his hamstring while going for a run in the 35th over
Ravindra Jadeja who has had a decent outing in the Asia cup this year walks out to join Kedhar Jadhav. Bangladesh now see a bright chance of ending on the victory podium with half the Indian batsmen back at the pavillion.
Bangladesh get the big fish as Dhoni nicks a Mustafizur delivery to wicketkeeper Rahim leaving the scoreboard at 160/5 after 36.1 overs.
Pressure got the better of Bangladesh as India held on to their nerves to beat Bangladesh by three wickets to lift the Asia Cup. It was a close match between the neighbouring countries and the Indian team which dominated the series ends up on top.
India picks up the winning run courtesy leg byes and lift up the Asia Cup for a seventh time.
Kuldeep picks a single to bring Jadhav on strike. The scores are now tied with one run needed of one ball.
Kuldeep lofts the ball as crowds cheer. But the fielder cuts the boundary as India pick two important runs. Its now two needed of three balls
Mahmudullah will be Bangladesh's hope as he tries to defend 6 runs in the final over.
Jadhav picks up two runs of the last delivery of the 49th over. India now needs 6 runs in the final over with Kuldeep Yadav taking strike and Jadhav at the runner's end.
Kuldeep Yadav joins Kedhar Jadhav at the crease. The Men in Blue now can just hope that Kedhar can pull off a win. However, Bangladesh is not going without a fight. It's on
A big wicket for Bangladesh as Bhuvneshwar is caught behind the stumps by Rahim off a Mustafizur delivery. The tension justs builds up with every ball now. India needs 9 runs of 11 balls
It's a tense game as India need 9 runs in the last two overs for a win. Can Bangladesh bowlers pull off a miracle or will India win another pressure game
Jadhav who earlier left the crease due to a hamstring pull walks back at a critical juncture. Can the hard hitter finish the game for India
Ravindra Jadeja nicks a Rubel Hossain ball to wicketkeeper Rahim. Is this the turnaround Bangladesh needs. India needs 11 runs of 16 balls
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar might have been wicketless with the ball but is sure making up with some really good batting at the death. India now needs 13 runs in 18 balls.
India crosses the 150-run mark in the 34th over with MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav out at the centre. The game is now interestingly setup as both teams have an equal chance of picking up a win from here. However, the indomitable presence of MS Dhoni at the centre will be a cause of concern for Bangladesh. The charismatic Dhoni has seen this pressure situation several times and will his experience of such situations count. Let's see.
The right-handed Kedar Jadhav joins MS Dhoni at the centre. India now needs 84 runs in 19 overs with 6 wickets in hand. This is a crucial phase of the game which is now evenly poised and the team which is able to perform under the pressure will end up victors.
A big wicket for Bangladesh as Dinesh Karthik falls after a well made 37 leaving the scoreboard 137/4 at 30.4 overs. The right handed batsman misses the ball which hits him on the boot and up goes the umpire's finger.
Dhoni and Kartik seem to be building a solid partnership as the duo are slowly taking the game away from Bangladesh with some sensible batting.
Dhoni scores a boundary of the first delivery off the 24th over as India cross the three figure mark of 100
A much needed hit over the boundary line for the Indian side. Dinesh Kartik sends the fourth delivery of the 21st over packing over the wide long-on boundary line.
After the fall of Indian captain Rohit Sharma now the onus is on the experienced Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dinesh Kartik to see that the pressure doesn't get the better of the men in blue. India need 133 runs in 30 overs with 7 wickets in hand.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni walks to the crease to join Dinesh Kartik. This is not a new premise to the batsman who has seen India through such pressure situations several times. Will Dhoni weave his magic again as India needs 140 runs in 33 overs to win.
Rohit Sharma loses his wicket 2 runs short of a half century. The right hander pulls a Rubel Hossain ball right into the hands of Nazmul Islam. India lose their third wicket with the scorecard reading 83/3 at 16.4 overs.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Kartik build a steady partnership of 33 of 45 balls as the experienced duo play out crucial overs without any casualty. Rohit seems in good touch scoring 47(50) with 3 sixes and 3 boundaries.
The men in Blue need 166 runs in 40 overs to reign supreme over the Asian continent. The first ten overs saw some free flowing boundaries from the blades of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma before Bangladesh put the brakes with two quick wickets.
Dinesh Karthik steps into the crease after the fall of Ambati Rayudu. India now need 177 runs with 8 wickets remaining to win the Asia Cup.
Ambati Rayudu now enters the game as he joins Rohit Sharma at the centre of the action.
Shikhar Dhawan who was in good touch gifts his wicket to Nazmul Islam as Soumya Sarkar completes the catch. India are now at 35/1 at 4.4 overs.
Rohit sends a Nazmul Islam ball over the long on boundary line for a perfect six. The Indian openers seem to be in good touch finding the boundary line at regular intervals
Rohit and Dhawan are at the crease as they hope to chase the target of 223 set by Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are all out for 222/10. Kuldeep Yadav was pick of the bowlers grabbing three wickets for 45 runs. Liton Das starred for Bangladesh with a well-crafted 121.
Bumrah wraps up the innings with a brilliant yorker. Rubel Hossain is out. Bangladesh: 222/10.
Brilliant piece of work in the field by India. Soumya Sarkar is run-out. MS Dhoni on fire.
Well begun is half the job done....Only half the job, Bangladesh #IndvBan #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 28, 2018
Last 25 overs, Bangladesh have made 81-7!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 28, 2018
Liton Das is beaten by a Kuldeep Yadav googly and Dhoni doesn't miss the stumping chance. Third umpire takes some time to make the decision and it is OUT!
India miss a run-out chance as Dhoni takes off the bails without the ball in his gloves.
@anilkumble1074 calls it spot on - @BCCI @teamindia dry up the runs, and the wickets start to tumble
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) September 28, 2018
Bangladesh are reduced to 139/4 after two wickets by Kedar Jadhav, one by Chahal and a brilliant Jadeja run-out. Mahmudullah comes out to bat.
Kedar Jadhav picks up his second wicket. Mushfiqur Rahim is caught by Bumrah in the deep.
Bangladesh lose their second wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal traps Imrul Kayes lbw to leave Bangladesh at 128/2.
Final. 20.5: WICKET! M Hasan (32) is out, c Ambati Rayudu b Kedar Jadhav, 120/1 https://t.co/lXRUQlHH5W #IndvBan #AsiaCup
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 28, 2018
Bangladesh reach 102 in 18 overs with Liton Das at Liton Das batting on 73 and Mehidy Hasan batting on 27.
Liton Das's 33 ball fifty is the joint fastest fifty for Bangladesh against India. Tamim Iqbal has also scored a 33 ball fifty at Dhaka in 2010.
Bangladeshoff to a steady start reaching a score of 42 without loss after seven overs.
India introduce spin in the sixth over with Yuzvendra Chahal coming into the attack.
Liton Das gets on top off the delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and pulls it for four.
India has made it quite clear that KL Rahul WILL NOT be considered for a role in the middle order. #IndvBan #AsiaCup @StarSportsIndia
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 28, 2018
Here's our Playing XI for the match.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/fJvE2OT3ch
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
Captain @ImRo45 wins the toss and elects to bowl first in the #AsiaCup 2018 Final.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/GRGoZksCzC
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Match, Group B: Bangladesh won by 137 runs
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 6th Match, Group B: Afghanistan won by 136 runs
Bangladesh vs India, Super Four, Match 1: India won by 7 wickets
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Super Four, Match 4: Bangladesh won by 3 runs
Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Super Four, Match 6: Bangladesh won by 37 runs
From the Driver's seat : #TeamIndia depart for the grand finale of #AsiaCup against 🇧🇩 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/YV2usS6ICH
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
Bangladesh have done well to come so far in the tournament with their injury issues but they will be the first to admit that India start clear favourites.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 28, 2018
It's Match Day and the #MenInBlue are all set to take on the @BCBtigers in the Final of #AsiaCup2018.
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
🇮🇳 vs 🇧🇩 Who are you backing to lift the today?
Live action starts at 5 PM IST. Follow the game here - https://t.co/lXRUQlZhXu pic.twitter.com/6gCRPbBkky
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Match, Group B: Bangladesh won by 137 runs
India vs Hong Kong, 4th Match, Group A, India won by 26 runs
India vs Pakistan, 5th Match, Group A: India won by 8 wickets
India vs Bangladesh, Super Four, Match 1: India won by 7 wickets
India vs Pakistan, Super Four, Match 3: India won by 9 wickets
India vs Afghanistan, Super Four, Match 5, Match tied
