By Krishna Dua 
India Beat Bangladesh by 41 Runs to Reach Asia Cup Final
Dubai, September 25, 2025 – India stormed into the Asia Cup 2025 final with a convincing 41-run victory over Bangladesh in their Super Four clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 24, capping off a dominant group stage and Super Four campaign with clinical precision. Opting to bat first after Suryakumar Yadav won the toss, India posted a competitive 168 for 6 in their 20 overs, propelled by opener Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 75 off 37 balls, featuring six fours and five sixes. Bangladesh, chasing a tricky target, started steadily but crumbled under pressure, managing only 127 all out in 19.3 overs, with Saif Hassan’s gritty 69 off 58 balls their lone resistance. Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, claiming 3 for 18 in his four overs, while Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 18) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2 for 29) provided excellent support to seal the win. This triumph, India’s second in the Super Fours, ensures they top the table with six points and a net run rate of +2.10, setting up a blockbuster final on September 28 against the winner of the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match. For Bangladesh, who had scraped through the group stage on net run rate, the defeat leaves them on the brink, with their last-gasp hopes now pinned on an unlikely victory over Pakistan on September 26. As the defending champions reaffirm their supremacy in the 17th edition of the continental tournament, Abhishek Sharma’s Player of the Match performance and Kuldeep Yadav’s spellbinding spell highlighted India’s depth and adaptability on a pitch that offered early seam movement before gripping for spinners. With the final in Dubai just four days away, this result isn’t merely a qualification—it’s a declaration of intent from a team primed for another title tilt.
The Asia Cup 2025, hosted by the UAE from September 9 to 28, has been a spectacle of strategic depth and individual brilliance, featuring an expanded eight-team group stage that has intensified the Super Fours competition. India, under the astute leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, entered the Super Fours unbeaten after topping Group A with comprehensive wins over Pakistan and Oman, and their latest outing against Bangladesh was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive knock laid the foundation, while Kuldeep Yadav’s wizardry with the ball dismantled the chase, ensuring India remains the team to beat. For Bangladesh, who had fought tooth and nail to advance from Group B with a last-ball thriller against Afghanistan, the loss was a harsh reminder of their limitations against top-tier spin, particularly on Dubai’s turning tracks. As the tournament narrative shifts to the final, this Super Four decider not only secures India’s berth but also underscores their evolution as a T20 juggernaut, where youthful exuberance meets veteran cunning in perfect harmony.
Toss and Early Overs: Suryakumar’s Sage Call and Abhishek’s Onslaught
Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bat first after winning the toss was a tactical masterstroke, banking on the dew factor to potentially aid the bowlers later while setting a challenging total on a Dubai pitch known for its true bounce in the first innings. The surface, prepared by curator Salim Ramji, offered early seam movement under overcast conditions, with temperatures at 32°C and humidity at 65%, conditions that favored the quicks in the powerplay. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill got India off to a flier, adding 62 runs for the first wicket in just 5.3 overs, with Sharma’s aggressive intent setting the tone against Bangladesh’s seamers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
Sharma, the 24-year-old Delhi dasher who has been a revelation since his T20I debut in December 2023, wasted no time asserting dominance. Facing Taskin in the second over, he smashed three consecutive boundaries—a crisp cover drive, a lofted straight hit over mid-off, and a whip through midwicket that raced away for four. By the end of the powerplay, Sharma had bludgeoned 42 off 18 balls, including five fours and three sixes, his strike rate of 233.33 forcing Litton Das to rethink field placements. Gill, at the other end, played the perfect foil with 28 off 22 balls, rotating the strike with deft singles and punishing loose deliveries with elegant drives. The partnership was a textbook left-right combination, confusing the bowlers’ lines and keeping the scoreboard ticking at nearly 11 runs per over. Taskin’s figures of 0 for 28 in three overs were a stark contrast to his group-stage exploits, while Mustafizur leaked 1 for 35 in his four overs, his cutters neutralized by Sharma’s ramps and scoops.
The early overs were a statement of intent from India, who have averaged 55 for 1 in powerplays across the tournament, and Sharma’s onslaught was the catalyst. His dismissal in the 13th over, caught at deep midwicket off Rishad Hossain for 75, came after he had already done the bulk of the damage, leaving India at 112 for 1. In a match where the powerplay often decides the game’s flow, Sharma’s fireworks not only set a platform but also demoralized the Bangladeshi fielders, who struggled to contain his unorthodox shot-making. As the innings transitioned to the middle overs, India were well-placed to post a total that would challenge any chase on this ground.
Middle-Order Momentum: Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya’s Finishing Flourish
With Abhishek Sharma’s departure, the onus shifted to the middle order to consolidate and accelerate, and Tilak Varma stepped up with a composed 32 off 24 balls that included two sixes and three fours. Varma, the 22-year-old Mumbai batsman who has been a mainstay since his T20I debut in 2023, entered at No. 3 and immediately rotated the strike with Shubman Gill, adding 40 runs for the second wicket in quick time. His pull shots against Mahedi Hasan were particularly effective, clearing the short midwicket boundary with ease and keeping the required rate in check. Gill’s dismissal for 28 off 22 balls, bowled by Mustafizur Rahman with a cutter that nipped back in, brought Rishabh Pant to the crease, and the wicketkeeper-batter contributed a brisk 18 off 10 balls, including a scooped six over fine leg that epitomized his fearless approach.
Hardik Pandya’s late cameo of 15 off 6 balls, featuring a four and a six off Rishad Hossain, provided the finishing flourish, pushing India past 160 in the final over. Pandya, the all-rounder who has been India’s X-factor since his 2018 debut, not only boosted the total but also set an aggressive tone for the bowlers with his fielding— a sharp catch at mid-on to dismiss Tanzid Hasan early in the chase. The middle order’s momentum was crucial on a pitch that slowed down after the 10th over, with the ball gripping for the spinners and forcing batsmen to manufacture pace. Tilak Varma’s ability to pick the gaps and Hardik’s power-hitting ensured India reached 168 for 6, a total that looked gettable but ultimately proved just beyond Bangladesh’s reach. In a tournament where teams batting second have won 60% of the Super Fours games, India’s middle-order resolve turned a good total into a winning one, setting the stage for the bowlers to take control.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Masterclass: The Spin That Sealed the Deal
Kuldeep Yadav’s 3 for 18 was the defining spell of the match, a four-over masterclass that dismantled Bangladesh’s chase and swung the momentum decisively in India’s favor. Introduced in the seventh over with Bangladesh at 45 for 1, the 30-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner wasted no time, trapping captain Litton Das lbw for 18 with a googly that straightened just enough to beat the forward defense. The on-field call was upheld on review, and the Tigers suddenly found themselves at 45 for 2, the required rate jumping to 8.5 after six overs. Kuldeep’s variations were on song: A flipper to Saif Hassan in the 11th over castled the opener for 69 off 58 balls—the highest score of the innings—leaving Bangladesh reeling at 80 for 3.
The dismissal of Towhid Hridoy, stumped off a wide leg-break in the 14th over that turned square, was a thing of beauty, with Rishabh Pant whipping off the bails in a flash as the batsman played down the wrong line. Kuldeep’s final over returned to clean up Mahedi Hasan, bowled by a wrong’un that ripped back in to shatter the stumps, finishing with figures that were the most economical of the tournament. His economy of 4.50 was a testament to his control, conceding just 18 runs while taking three of the top four wickets. Kuldeep, who has been India’s go-to mystery spinner since his T20I recall in 2022, has now taken 52 wickets at an average of 19.42 and economy of 6.80 in the format. In this match, his ability to grip the Dubai pitch—offering turn after the 10th over—proved invaluable, as Bangladesh’s batsmen struggled to read his googlies and flippers. For a team that has relied on spin to win 70% of their Super Fours games, Kuldeep’s spell was the perfect prescription, turning a competitive chase into a procession and ensuring India’s place in the final.
Bangladesh’s Chase Unravels: From Steady Start to Shambolic Surrender
Bangladesh’s chase of 169 began with a sense of optimism, the opening partnership between Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das yielding 40 runs in the powerplay for just one wicket. Tanzid, the 21-year-old opener who has been a find in the tournament, smashed 28 off 20 balls, including two sixes over midwicket that cleared the ropes with ease. Litton Das, the experienced campaigner and captain, looked in good touch with 18 off 17 balls before Kuldeep Yadav’s googly ended his stay, the lbw decision upheld on review to leave Bangladesh at 45 for 2 after six overs.
Saif Hassan, promoted to No. 3, waged a lone battle with 69 off 58 balls, his knock featuring five fours and three sixes, including a pulled six off Axar Patel that sailed into the stands. Saif’s partnerships with Towhid Hridoy (30 off 25 balls) and Mahedi Hasan (10 off 8 balls) pushed the score to 80 for 3 after 12 overs, but the required rate had crept to 9.5, and the pressure mounted. Hridoy’s stumping off Kuldeep in the 14th over triggered a collapse, with Rishad Hossain’s quick 15 off 8 balls offering a glimmer before Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker castled him at 110 for 5. Saheeb Chowdhury (5 off 6) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0 off 1) followed suit, while Mustafizur Rahman’s 4 off 5 balls only prolonged the agony.
Chasing 169, Bangladesh needed steady accumulation in the middle overs, but India’s spinners—Kuldeep (3/18), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29), and Axar Patel (1/22)—strangled them, conceding just 45 runs in overs 7 to 15 for five wickets. The death overs belonged to Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, with Hardik’s slower bouncer dismissing Taskin Ahmed for 0 and Bumrah cleaning up the tail. Bangladesh’s total of 127 in 19.3 overs was their lowest in the Super Fours, a far cry from their group-stage resilience. Litton Das, in the post-match presentation, acknowledged, “We started well but couldn’t handle the spin in the middle—Kuldeep was outstanding.” Surrender? Shambolic—Bangladesh’s unraveling, a harsh lesson in T20’s unforgiving arithmetic.
India’s Bowling Brilliance: Bumrah and Chakaravarthy’s Supporting Symphony
While Kuldeep Yadav stole the show, Jasprit Bumrah’s 2 for 18 and Varun Chakaravarthy’s 2 for 29 provided the perfect supporting act, a symphony of seam and spin that suffocated Bangladesh’s ambitions. Bumrah, introduced in the 16th over with the score at 110 for 5, struck immediately with a searing yorker that uprooted Mustafizur Rahman’s stumps, the pacer’s 4 off 5 balls ending in a rattle of timber. His second victim, Taskin Ahmed, fell to a slower bouncer in the 19th over, the ball looping high before dipping under the batsman’s glove for a catch behind the stumps. Bumrah’s economy of 4.50 was clinical, his ability to vary pace and length on a pitch offering minimal seam movement proving decisive.
Varun Chakaravarthy, the mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu, complemented with 2 for 29 in his four overs, dismissing Saif Hassan with a googly that spun away to beat the outside edge and Rishad Hossain with a quicker delivery that hurried onto the bat. Varun’s control—conceding just 7.25 runs per over—kept the run flow in check, his variations baffling Bangladesh’s right-handers. Axar Patel chipped in with 1 for 22, his left-arm darts accounting for Towhid Hridoy with a straight one that trapped him lbw. India’s bowling, which has taken 25 wickets at 5.50 economy in the Super Fours, was once again the difference, their variety overwhelming a Bangladesh line-up that struggled against spin, averaging 22 in the middle overs. Brilliance? Bumrah and Chakaravarthy’s symphony, a harmonious havoc that hurried the Tigers to defeat.
Path to the Final: India’s Unbeaten March and Bangladesh’s Bitter End
India’s victory propels them into the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 unbeaten, their six points from two Super Fours wins and NRR of +2.10 a testament to their all-round prowess. Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy has been exemplary, his decisions— from promoting himself to No. 4 to introducing Kuldeep at the right juncture—paying rich dividends. The win allows for rotation in the upcoming dead rubber against Sri Lanka on September 26, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar potentially getting game time. For the final against the winner of the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match on September 26, India enters as favorites, their batting depth and bowling variety making them a formidable force on any surface.
For Bangladesh, the defeat is a bitter pill, leaving them with one match left against Pakistan on September 25—a must-win to keep semi-final hopes flickering, though their NRR deficit of -1.45 makes qualification a mathematical mirage. Litton Das’s side showed flashes of their group-stage fight, but their inability to negotiate spin on a turning track—a perennial Achilles’ heel—has been their undoing. The loss also highlights the gulf between the teams, with Bangladesh’s middle order averaging 22 against spin in the tournament. Bitter end? For now—Bangladesh’s path, a precarious precipice.
Key Performances: Standout Stars and Silent Contributors
Abhishek Sharma’s 75 was the undoubted star turn, but Shubman Gill’s 28 off 22 balls laid a solid base, his elegant drives against Taskin Ahmed piercing the off-side field. Tilak Varma’s 32 off 24, with two sixes off Rishad Hossain, injected momentum, while Rishabh Pant’s 18 off 10 balls, including a trademark scooped six, kept the scoring rate healthy. Hardik Pandya’s 15 off 6 balls in the death, with a four and six off Mahedi Hasan, provided the perfect finish, his all-round impact (1 for 20 with the ball) crucial.
For Bangladesh, Saif Hassan’s 69 off 58 balls was a valiant effort, his pull shots against Axar Patel yielding three boundaries in one over. Litton Das’s 18 showed promise before Kuldeep’s googly, while Towhid Hridoy’s 30 off 25 balls offered fleeting resistance. Taskin Ahmed’s 0 for 42 was profligate, Mustafizur Rahman’s 1 for 35 tidy but ineffective. Standout? Sharma and Kuldeep for India, Hassan for Bangladesh—performances that penned the plot.
Tactical Insights: Powerplay Dominance and Spin Stranglehold
Tactical takeaways from the match are manifold: India’s powerplay dominance—62 for 0—exposed Bangladesh’s seam frailties, Taskin and Mustafizur hemorrhaging 45 in six overs at 7.5 economy. Yadav’s spin induction at over 7 was genius, Kuldeep and Chakaravarthy surrendering 47 in eight overs for five wickets, their combined economy of 5.87 a stranglehold on a pitch gripping after 10 overs. Bangladesh’s chase faltered on acceleration, the required rate soaring to 9.5 after 15 overs—a classic case of middle-order paralysis against mystery spin.
Insights? Illuminating—powerplay plunder paves, spin stranglehold seals, India’s template for titles.
Reflections: A Giant Step Toward Glory
September 25, 2025, reflects on September 24’s decider: India’s 41-run romp, Sharma’s sparkle, Kuldeep’s spell—glory’s giant step. Asia Cup’s chronicle, India’s chapter closes with conquest.