India stormed into the final of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 with a 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai on Tuesday, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 75 and a spin choke led by Kuldeep Yadav.
Put in to bat on a sluggish surface, Abhishek gave India a flying start with a 37-ball knock that featured clean striking and fearless intent. His innings not only propelled India to 168/6 but also rewrote the record books. He now holds the record for most sixes in a single Asia Cup edition across formats with 17, surpassing Yuvraj Singh’s tallies of big-hitting feats.
I was just doing my job. I don’t think much while batting, I just go with the flow. If it’s in my range, even the first ball, I go for it. On this pitch I wanted to check early swing, and once I felt settled, I backed my shots.
A Flying Power-play, Then a Stumble
India’s openers blasted 72 in the first six overs, with Shubman Gill adding 29 off 19 balls. But after Abhishek’s dismissal—brilliantly run out by Rishad Hossain—the innings lost steam. Suryakumar Yadav struggled for fluency, Shivam Dube fell cheaply despite being promoted as a match-up option, and Tilak Varma also failed to get going.
They had a left-arm spinner and a leg-spinner, so Dube was the perfect match-up. It didn’t work, but we will keep trying that going forward. With 12-14 good overs with the ball, we can defend any total.
Hardik Pandya’s composed 38 off 29 ensured India reached 168, though their final 10 overs produced just 70 runs. Rishad Hossain (2/27) stood out for Bangladesh, combining his wickets with Abhishek’s run-out.
Kuldeep, Varun Seal It
Chasing 169, Bangladesh’s innings revolved almost entirely around Saif Hassan’s valiant 69 off 51 balls. He survived three dropped catches but ran out of support as India’s spinners dismantled the middle order. Kuldeep Yadav was irresistible, returning 3-18 and sparking the collapse with the key wicket of Parvez Hossain Emon. Varun Chakravarthy (2-29) and Axar Patel (1-37) kept the pressure on, while Jasprit Bumrah rediscovered his rhythm with a miserly 2-18 in four overs. Despite Saif’s resistance, the chase never looked convincing. Bangladesh folded for 127 in 19.3 overs, handing India their fifth straight win in the tournament.
Bangladesh Look Ahead to ‘Virtual Semi’
Stand-in skipper Jaker Ali admitted his side must regroup quickly before facing Pakistan in what effectively becomes a semifinal for the second final berth.
We can take lots of things from this game. We have another match tomorrow, and if we win, we qualify. We’ll talk with the management about the right combination and give our best.
What’s Next
India’s place in the September 28 final is confirmed, with their last Super Four fixture against Sri Lanka now reduced to a dead rubber. Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off on Thursday to decide who joins them in the title clash.
Brief Scores: India 168/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 75, Hardik Pandya 38; Rishad Hossain 2/27, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1/29) beat Bangladesh 127 all out in 19.3 overs (Saif Hassan 69, Parvez Hossain Emon 21; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Varun Chakravarthy 2/29) by 41 runs.
