India A narrowly escaped defeat against Bangladesh A in the semi-finals of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 after a massive middle-order collapse and the final clash with arch-rivals Pakistan A in Colombo. Openers Sai Sudarshan and Abhishek Sharma got India ‘A’ off to a good start, but none of the incoming batsmen could make a big difference except skipper Yash Dhull.
Players like Nishant Sindhu, Nikin Jose, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag were dismissed cheaply as India A were bundled out for 137/7 by Bangladesh A, but Dhull stitched crucial partnerships with Manav Suthar and Rajvardhan Hangargekar to take his side’s score past 200.
Bangladesh A’s innings started in stark contrast with the openers putting on 70 runs for the first wicket, but the middle-order failed to make any significant contribution to get India back in the game. The Indian bowlers got a chance and came back in the contest with a brilliant bowling performance in the second half.
The anger was already running high with the Bangladesh bowlers dismissing the Indian batsmen after every wicket and emotions were running high for the blue team players too as they were behind the game and every wicket felt like a step closer to making it to the final. However, there was also a case when everything became hotter after the experience Soumya Sarkar Out.
Off-spinner Yuvrajsinh Dodiya trapped Sarkar in front of the wickets but the batsman got an inside edge and slip fielder Nikin Jose was already celebrating. The Indian players were excited as it was a big wicket and fast bowler Harshit Rana celebrated in front of Sarkar which left the batsmen unhappy.
Sarkar immediately addressed this to the Rana, who suddenly became furious. A heated argument ensued between both Sarkar and Rana before the umpire intervened. The umpire and Indian opener Sai Sudarshan separated the two, before Sarkar uttered a few more words on his way to the pavilion, while the Indians continued to celebrate the big wicket.
Sindhu, who did not do much with the bat, led the way with five wickets with the ball, helping India A bowl Bangladesh A out for just 60 runs and win the game by 51 runs. India A will take on Pakistan A in the final of the tournament on Sunday, July 23.