India secured their spot in the Asia Cup final for the 12th time with a convincing 41-run victory over Bangladesh in their Super 4 match in Dubai on Wednesday. Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting and Kuldeep Yadav's masterful spin bowling were instrumental in India's triumph. With this win, India advances to the final, while Sri Lanka has been eliminated from contention. Bangladesh and Pakistan will now face off in a virtual semi-final to determine who will compete against India for the Asia Cup title.

India's innings was powered by Abhishek Sharma, who continued his impressive form with a blistering 75 off just 37 balls. His aggressive approach at the top of the order set the tone for India, propelling them to 72 runs in the powerplay. Sharma's innings included six fours and five sixes, showcasing his power and elegance. He leads the scoring charts in the Asia Cup 2025 with 173 runs in 4 innings, averaging 43.25 with a strike rate exceeding 208.

Shubman Gill provided valuable support with 29 runs, contributing to a rapid 77-run opening stand in 6.2 overs. However, after the dismissal of Gill and Sharma, India's middle order struggled to maintain the momentum. Rishad Hossain's exceptional fielding effort led to a run-out of the in-form Sharma, shifting the momentum. The remaining batsmen couldn't capitalize on the strong start, resulting in India finishing with a total of 168/6. Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 2 wickets for 27 runs.

In response, Bangladesh's batting lineup faltered against India's disciplined bowling attack. Saif Hassan's valiant effort of 69 runs was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal batting performance. Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded India's bowling attack, claiming 3 crucial wickets for just 18 runs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah provided excellent support, taking 2 wickets each to restrict Bangladesh to 127 in 19.3 overs. Bumrah's early dismissal of Tanzid Hasan set the tone for India's dominance with the ball.

India's victory was a result of their strong start with the bat, followed by a clinical performance from their bowlers. While Abhishek Sharma's batting stole the spotlight, the contributions of Kuldeep Yadav and the other bowlers were equally important in securing India's place in the Asia Cup final.

With India securing their spot in the final, the focus shifts to the virtual semi-final between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The winner of that match will face India in the Asia Cup final, scheduled for September 28.