India decimate Bangladesh to storm into Asian Games cricket final

Tilak Varma’s 25-ball 55* and R Sai Kishore’s figures of 3/12 from his four overs stood out as the Indian cricket team demolished Bangladesh in the Asian Games men’s cricket semifinal at the Pingfeld Cricket Field in Hangzhou.

Opting to bowl first, the Indian bowlers made merry right from the start, reducing Bangladesh to 21/3 inside the powerplay overs. Washington Sundar accounted for opposition skipper Saif Hassan (1) and also removed Zakir Hassan (0) two balls later, putting the Bangladesh batting unit into turmoil very early.

Opener Parvez Hossain Emon waged a lone battle but not for too long as he was removed for 23 by Varma, who also picked a wicket in addition to his half-century. Emon’s score was one among the only three double-digit scores put up by the Bangladesh batters, wicket-keeper Jaker Ali (24*) and Rakibul Hasan (14) the other two entrants on this list as the Indian bowlers ran riot, restricting them to a paltry 96/9 from 20 overs. India's spinners accounted for eight of the nine wickets to fall, with Sundar (2/15), Varma (1/5) , Ravi Bishnoi (1/26) and Shahbaz Ahamad - who made his T20I debut - finishing with 1/13 from his two overs to complement Sai Kishore's 3-wicket burst.  

Chasing 97 was due to be a walk in the park but India were jolted early, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal removed for a four-ball duck. However, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (26-ball 40*) and Varma ensured there were no more hiccups as the duo put on a 97-run stand to take India comfortably over the line. 

After a crushing over Bangladesh, India await the winner of the Pakistan vs Afghanistan semi-final clash as their opponent in the summit clash, which will start at 11.30 AM IST on October 7th.