India beat Bangladesh by eight wickets to clinch their sixth Asia Cup. In a rain-shortened game, India won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat. In their innings, the hosts lost wickets at crucial intervals and could only manage 120 in their 15 overs.
That they managed 120 was thanks largely to Mahmudullah 13-ball 33. Although Rohit Sharma departed early, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan anchored the chase perfectly with Dhawan winning the Man of the Match for his 60.
In the end, Dhawan's dismissal brought MS Dhoni to the crease and the Indian captain did what he does best. He came in and finished off the innings with a six and claimed another title as captain.
Virat Kohli admitted that the situation wasn’t easy, especially with the early wicket of Rohit. He said: "It was a tricky situation, Rohit getting out early, credit to Shikhar for the way he batted, delivering when the team needed the most. The 94 stand was the game changer.
“I back myself to find boundaries and hit the gaps, I don't try to hit too many sixes ... I enjoy the crowd being against me, it pumps me up, the more they boo me the more it motivates me.”
Ravi Shastri on what he told the players before the final. "Just told them it's a final, enjoy it,” he said.
“Remember the celebrations Bangladesh did when they beat us, so just get the bloody job done. We have a good all-round side, packed with power hitters ... any of them can fire.
“If any area we have to tighten up, it is the bowling department. Tremendous self-belief, the tour of Australia was extremely important, bouncing back to win four matches after losing the first four. I was not surprised one bit when they chased this down.”
Shikhar Dhawan said: "It's very special, the best thing is that we won, we have worked really hard, feels good to perform at the right time. We were quite comfortable during the chase, we never felt pressure."
Credit to the top-order batsman: Dhoni
MS Dhoni played down his contribution to the win, as usual. He said: “Thanks to the top-order batsmen, they have done the bulk of the job, the lower order batsmen just go and do what is needed after that. It's looking very good now, we are on track for the World T20.
“Jasprit, the beauty is that he can bowl yorkers, if you don;t have the yorker you have to try a lot of other deliveries, his slightly different action also helps him a bit. Hardik can bowl a few overs for us, so if he can give us four in T20s, with his batting and fielding he is a great package.
“Looking at this team it is tough to give Yuvi the no.4 slot, but he has adjusted. 13-14 players they are all match-winners, that is the beauty of the side, everyone is taking responsibility to finishing the game.”
Here are the reactions from the cricketing fraternity.
Tributes continued to pour India’s way, Ireland cricketer Niall O'Brien:
Indian bowler Amit Mishra:
VVS Laxman:
Aakash Chopra:
Russell Arnold:
Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath:
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya:
Former Indian women's cricketer Anjum Chopra:
Aakash Chopra was full of praise for Jasprit Bumrah:
The game only happened thanks to the swift action of the ground staff and Harsha Bhogle was keen to point that out:
Mahmudullah earned plenty of praise for his innings, former England cricketer Isa Guha:
VVS Laxman:
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