that will be that! An emphatic win and India are now assured a medal. They will contest the gold-medal match tomorrow, while Bangladesh go into the bronze-medal game! Back of a length on middle and leg. Gaikwad nudges it calmly into the off side and canters across to the other end. A clinical performance, set up by their bowlers and finished off by their batters!
Bangladesh vs India, 1st Semi-Final at Hangzhou, Asian Games (M), Oct 06 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary
11:45am That brings us to the end of our coverage for this game. In a couple of hours from now, Pakistan will take on Afghanistan in the second semi-final, with the winner meeting India in the gold-medal game tomorrow. Until then, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat), Sudeep and Venkat Raghav. Take care, folks!
Elsewhere at the Asian Games, Indian athletes have excelled throughout the last fortnight. Click here to read ESPN India's stories on some of the best Indian performances in Hangzhou.
11:42am 9.2 overs is all it took for India to chase down 97. Gaikwad set the ball rolling early, offsetting the departure of Jaiswal and putting Mondol under pressure. Tilak fed off the dominance Gaikwad showcased, and ultimately overtook Gaikwad, registering a 26-ball 55, with his fifty coming off 25 balls.
As for Bangladesh, well, their bowlers were shell-shocked by India's approach. The batters did not allow them any leeway and the one wicket they got was also a very hit-me delivery. Not the kind of performance they would have wanted when a gold-medal match was on the line but they now have to pick themselves up, hoping to get something out of their bronze-medal match tomorrow.
so smooth! Half-volley outside off. Gaikwad leans into his drive wonderfully and caresses it past extra cover for four. Scores level!
India one hit away from a win now. Can they finish it this over?
back of a length on leg stump. Gaikwad goes back and works it towards deep backward square leg
full on middle and leg. Tilak knocks it down the ground to long off
fifty for Tilak Varma! Another drag-down on middle and leg. Tilak camps deep in his crease and pummels it over deep square leg. Points to a tattoo on his ribs as part of his celebration, not sure what that means, though!
flatter and shorter on middle and leg. Gaikwad rocks back and pulls it towards deep mid wicket
full on middle and off. Gaikwad lunges forward and pokes it into the off side
dragged down outside off. Tilak hops back and heaves it towards deep mid wicket
short and slow outside off. Tilak punches it towards backward point and hares across to the other end
shot! Slot ball on middle and off stump. Tilak gets down on one knee early and wallops it over deep mid wicket!
a bit of excitement but the umpire reckons it hit the arm! Length on middle and leg. Tilak looks for the expansive reverse sweep but makes a hash of it. It loops up and the keeper gathers but the umpire thinks it flicked off the forearm, rather than the glove
shortish outside off. Tilak tries to force it through the off side but can only chop it back into the keeper's pads
full on off stump. Gaikwad advances and works it towards long on for one
length on off stump. Gaikwad comes forward and plays it to the bowler's right. Not far enough to collect a single
Afif to continue. Around the wicket to Gaikwad
Aarav Tibrewala: "This is extremely destructive batting from India. Seems as though they are batting on a completely different pitch than the previous innings." -- Apart from the obvious quality of stroke-making, their intent has also been refreshing. Chasing just 97 helps too...
fullish and flat on leg stump. Tilak pats it towards short mid wicket
back of a length on middle and leg. Tilak plays for the turn but the ball goes through with the arm. Skews it off the leading edge into the off side
fuller outside off. Gaikwad gets to the pitch of the ball and pushes it down to long off
back of a length on off stump. Tilak taps it into the off side for an easy single
Around the wicket now
four more! Slanted down the leg side. Tilak uses the angle and just helps it past short fine leg for another boundary!
length on off stump. Tilak lunges forward and blocks it back to the bowler
More left-arm spin. Here is Hasan Murad. Over the wicket to Tilak
With two days of events left to go, this is already India's best medal tally at the Asian Games. But can they hit 100 medals? Head to ESPN India to see how they realistically can.