When India Claimed the 2018 Asia Cup on the Last Ball against Bangladesh

The match kept fans on the edge of their seats, with momentum swinging back and forth. India, however, held their nerve in the tense moments, and the game came down to the very last ball. In the end, the Indian team emerged victorious, claiming the Asia Cup title. This final was not just a match but an emotional rollercoaster for cricket fans, full of excitement, pressure, and unforgettable moments.

India vs Bangladesh: 2018 Asia Cup Finals

The Finals of the Asia Cup 2018 saw Bangladesh take on India in a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, 2018. India won the toss and chose to field first, putting Bangladesh in to bat on what seemed like a decent pitch for a 50-over game. The Bangladeshi side aimed to set a competitive total in this high-stakes final, but their innings turned into a story of promise followed by disappointment. They ended up posting 222 all out in 48.3 overs, largely thanks to a standout performance from opener Litton Das, who anchored the innings with a brilliant century. The rest of the batting lineup struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack, particularly the spinners, leading to a collapse in the middle and lower order.

Bangladesh started steadily in the powerplay, with Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz opening the batting in an unusual move, as Mehidy was promoted up the order. The duo put on a solid foundation, scoring 65 runs in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket. Litton looked aggressive from the outset, hitting boundaries with ease. He reached his fifty off just 33 balls, including six fours and two sixes, showcasing his timing and placement. Mehidy played a supporting role, rotating the strike and finding occasional boundaries. Their partnership crossed 50 in 46 balls, with Litton contributing the bulk. By the 18th over, they had taken Bangladesh to 102 for no loss, prompting drinks. The Indian bowlers, like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, kept things tight but couldn’t break through early.

As the innings progressed into the middle overs, Bangladesh reached 100 in 17.5 overs. Litton continued his fine form, bringing up his century off 87 balls with 11 fours and two sixes, a knock full of class under pressure. The first wicket fell at 120 in the 20.5th over when Mehidy, on 32 from 59 balls with three fours, was caught by Ambati Rayudu off Kedar Jadhav’s part-time spin. Mehidy’s steady 32 had helped stabilize, but his dismissal opened the floodgates. Imrul Kayes came in but managed only 2 off 12 balls before being lbw to Yuzvendra Chahal in the 23.5th over, a decision upheld on review as umpire’s call. At 128 for 2, Bangladesh still looked good, but Mushfiqur Rahim, the reliable keeper-batsman, fell cheaply for 5 off 9 balls, caught by Bumrah off Jadhav in the 26.5th over.

The collapse intensified as Mohammad Mithun was run out for 2 off 4 balls in the 27.6th over, thanks to sharp fielding from Ravindra Jadeja and Chahal. Mahmudullah, expected to steady the ship, scored just 4 off 16 balls before being caught by Bumrah off Kuldeep Yadav in the 32.2nd over. By drinks in the 35th over, Bangladesh were 160 for 5, with Litton on 107 and Soumya Sarkar on 4. Litton finally departed in the 40.6th over for 121 off 117 balls, stumped by MS Dhoni off Kuldeep after a fine innings that included 12 fours and two sixes. His strike rate of 103.41 was the highlight, but the team needed more support.

Entering the death overs, Bangladesh crossed 200 in 44.1 overs, but wickets kept tumbling. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza was stumped by Dhoni off Kuldeep for 7 off 9 balls, including a six, in the 42.5th over. Nazmul Islam scored 7 off 13 before being run out in the 46.4th over via a substitute fielder. Soumya Sarkar provided some resistance with 33 off 45 balls, hitting a four and a six, but he was run out in the 48.1st over. Rubel Hossain was bowled by Bumrah for a duck in the 48.3rd over, ending the innings at 222 with Mustafizur Rahman not out on 2 off 5. Extras contributed 7, with 2 leg byes and 5 wides.

India’s bowling was clinical. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 3 for 45 in 10 overs, using his variations to deceive. Jadhav picked 2 for 41 in 9 overs, proving handy. Chahal took 1 for 31 in 8 overs, while Bumrah got 1 for 39 in 8.3 overs. Bhuvneshwar and Jadeja went wicketless but conceded 33 and 31 respectively, maintaining pressure. The fielding was sharp, with three run-outs highlighting India’s energy. Bangladesh’s powerplay scores were 65/0, then 113/5 in the middle phase, and 44/5 in the final 10, reflecting the batting frailties after a strong start. Litton’s ton was the backbone, but the middle order’s failure, scoring just 48 runs between wickets 3 to 7, meant they couldn’t capitalize on the platform, setting India a chaseable target despite early promise.

Shifting to India’s innings, they chased down 223 with 223 for 7 in exactly 50 overs, winning by three wickets on the last ball in a nail-biting finish. Rohit Sharma led from the front as captain, but the middle order wobbled before Kedar Jadhav and others held their nerves. Bangladesh’s bowlers fought hard, keeping the game alive till the end with tight spells and key wickets.

India opened with Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan, reaching 57 for 2 in the first powerplay. Dhawan started aggressively, scoring 15 off 14 with three fours, but fell in the 4.4th over, caught by Soumya off Nazmul Islam. Ambati Rayudu managed 2 off 7 before being caught behind by Mushfiqur off Mashrafe in the 7.3rd over. Rohit looked solid, hitting 48 off 55 with three fours and three sixes, but was caught by Nazmul off Rubel in the 16.4th over at 83 for 3. By drinks in the 15th over, India were 79 for 2, with Dinesh Karthik on 13.

Karthik and MS Dhoni rebuilt steadily. Karthik scored 37 off 61 with a four and a six, but was lbw to Mahmudullah in the 30.4th over at 137 for 4. Dhoni anchored with 36 off 67, including three fours, forming a 54-run stand with Karthik. He fell caught behind off Mustafizur in the 36.1st over at 160 for 5. Jadhav, batting with an injury, retired hurt on 19 but returned later to finish 23 not out off 27 with a four and a six. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 23 off 33 with a four, caught behind off Rubel in the 47.2nd over at 212 for 6.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored 21 off 31 with a four and a six, caught behind off Mustafizur in the 48.1st over at 214 for 7. Kuldeep Yadav remained not out on 5 off 5, helping seal the win. India crossed 100 in 23.1 overs, 150 in 33.3, and 200 in 45.3, with extras adding 13 (1 bye, 7 leg byes, 5 wides). Bangladesh’s bowling was spirited. Mustafizur took 2 for 38 in 10 overs, Rubel 2 for 26 in 10 with two maidens, Mahmudullah 1 for 33 in 6, Mashrafe 1 for 35 in 10, and Nazmul 1 for 56 in 10.

Mehidy went wicketless for 27 in 4. They reviewed successfully once but couldn’t force a super over. The death overs were tense: India needed 9 off 12, then 6 off 6. In the last over, bowled by Mahmudullah, singles and a leg bye got them home. Jadhav’s composure and partnerships like 54 for the fourth wicket kept India in it, despite pressure. Bangladesh nearly defended, but India’s depth prevailed in a classic chase.