Bangladesh upset India despite Gill century

FAROOQ NAEEM/ AFP

Shubman Gill's magnificent 121 could not prevent India's narrow six-run loss to Bangladesh in an inconsequential Asia Cup match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

Put into bat, Bangladesh overcame a top order wobble to post a competitive 265-8 with skipper Shakib Al Hasan top scoring for his side with a breezy 80.

Gill smashed his fifth ODI hundred and Axar Patel made 42 down the order but India, who have already qualified for the final, were all out for 259 with one delivery to go.

With nothing really at stake, India decided to test their bench strength and rested several frontline players including batting stalwart Virat Kohli, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

After Rohit Sharma elected to field, Bangladesh slumped to 59-4 before Shakib and Towhid Hridoy (54) steadied the ship.

Nasum Ahmed (44) and Mahedi Hasan, who made 29 not out, contributed useful runs down the order to take them past the 250-mark.

When they returned to defend the total, Tanzim Hasan Shakib claimed two wickets in his first two overs in international cricket to put India immediately under pressure.

While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Gill stood tall amid ruins to keep India in the hunt.

Mahedi Hasan ended Gill's 133-ball knock but Axar kept India on course until his dismissal in the penultimate over.

Defending champions Sri Lanka await India in Sunday's final at the same venue.

More from Sports News

  • Rybakina books place in WTA Finals for third straight year

    Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina secured the last qualifying spot for the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh after advancing to the Pan Pacific Open semi-finals in Tokyo on Friday.

  • Dozens arrested in NBA illegal gambling probe

    Chauncey Billups, an NBA Hall of Fame player and head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Terry Rozier, a guard with the Miami Heat, were among more than 30 people charged on Thursday in connection with two separate but related federal gambling investigations that involved the league and the Mafia.

  • FIA defends return of sanctioned Russian to governing body

    Formula One's governing body has defended the quiet reinstatement to its World Motor Sport Council of a Russian member subject to international sanctions as a result of the war in Ukraine.

  • Messi extends Inter Miami contract

    Lionel Messi has extended his contract with MLS side Inter Miami to 2028, the club announced on Thursday, a boost for the North American league as the Argentine great keeps his career going.

  • Australia fend off India in Adelaide to seal ODI series

    Australia all-rounders Matt Short and Cooper Connolly scored half-centuries as the hosts claimed a two-wicket victory over India at Adelaide Oval to seal their one-day international series with a match to spare.

On Virgin Radio today

Trending on Virgin Radio