Team India is all set to face neighbors Bangladesh in the 2018 Asia Cup on Friday. Indians, who are the favorites to win the competition, would look to bounce back, after Tuesday’s disappointing draw against Afghanistan.
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Here are some of the things you should know before watching today’s finale:
Facts:
Competition:
14th ACC Asia Cup
Where:
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE
When:
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17:00 IST, 28 September
Where to watch:
Star Sports 1,Select 1, 1 HD (English commentary)
Star Sports 1 Hindi, 1 HD Hindi (Hindi commentary)
India has been in a breezing form, demolishing teams in a very clinical fashion. The colossal 8-wicket and 9-wicket wins against their bitter rival, Pakistan (and their highest placed Asia Cup opponent), were especially noteworthy. They again demonstrated India’s cricketing supremacy in the subcontinent.
Barring a minor glitch – the tie against Afghanistan- generally, they have been brilliant with the bat as well as the bowl. Although bowlers, and Jasprit Bumrah in particular, excelled, all the headlines were grabbed by their star-studded batting order. They amassed 1,113 runs in total, a number higher than any other side managed. The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma had an elemental role to play in this achievement – the pair adding a staggering 596 runs in total (Sharma- 269 runs and Dhawan- 327 runs). They would be eager to add seventh Asia Cup title to name.
Form:
W W W W D
Team News:
No major injuries. In fact, key players have a 5 days rest, 3 days more than the Bangladesh players.
The Asia Cup journey has been bittersweet for Bangladesh. On one hand, as they recorded an easy win against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they also faced crunching defeats a the hands of India and Afghanistan (a 136 run defeat in the group match). As they bounced back and defeated Afghanistan in the Super 4, they would hope to replicate the same form against India on Friday.
But the road to the trophy maybe even further difficult than said. The Tigers would due to them without their captain Shakib Al Hasan and star batsman Tamim Iqbal. The current ICC No.1 Allrounder injured his fingers in the last match against Pakistan, which they won. He is expected to travel to the USA for undergoing a surgery. Tamim also fractured his left hand’s index finger and would himself be looking forward to his rehabilitation in England.
Nevertheless, they have an appetite to bring out some of the most improbable upsets in the sport’s history, most memorable being the 2007 World Cup group stage ouster of the fellow Indians.
Monish Gadiya is the Head of Content at KreedOn. He is a thorough tech-enthusiast and believes that innovation is the answer to all the problems prevalent in the society. Monish graduated from University of Pune with a degree in Civil Engineering before pursuing a post-graduate diploma course in intellectual property rights. A die-hard football fan, he has represented his college at various football competitions.
