NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma's dazzling 75, backed by the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, powered India to a commanding 41-run win over Bangladesh, sealing their place in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Wednesday.

While India's batting faltered to 168 for six in their second Super 4 outing, Bangladesh never looked capable of chasing down the modest target and were bundled out for 127 in 19.3 overs.

Attention now shifts to Thursday's Bangladesh-Pakistan clash, a virtual semi-final that will determine India's opponent in the title showdown. And if Bangladesh's batting struggles are anything to go by, a blockbuster third India-Pakistan clash for the continental crown looks increasingly likely.

Opener Saif Hassan (69 off 51) tried to hold the innings together with some clean strikes, but with most of the other batters failing to even reach double figures, his efforts went in vain. It didn't help that he enjoyed as many as five reprieves along the way.

Kuldeep Yadav's guile (3/18 in 4 overs) proved far too good for Bangladesh's lineup, while Varun Chakravarthy (2/29) chipped in with key wickets. On a day when Axar Patel (1/37) was taken apart for four sixes, Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) ensured India remained in control with another clinical spell.

While some of the other Bangladeshi batters didn't measure up, right-handed Saif muscled the likes of Axar and Chakravarthy for five huge sixes to keep his team interested but had no support at the other end.

Earlier, Abhishek Sharma blended power with copious amounts of grace to smash a 37-ball-75 before indiscreet cricket from the other batters restricted India to a par 168 for six.

Abhishek, who is in the middle of a dream phase, hit six fours and five huge sixes in his sizzling effort.

He looked good for a century but a fantastic one handed stop and quick action throw from Rishad Hossan stationed at short third-man sent him back to the dugout.

At the other end, Indian batters played some poor strokes-- whether it was Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma or skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who was caught brilliantly down the leg-side by stand-in captain and keeper Jaker Ali.

Team management's inability to fit Sanju Samson was apparent as he couldn't be fitted into the top seven.

Having scored 96 in the first 10, India managed only 72 in next 10 overs with Axar Patel (10 off 15 balls), promoted ahead of Samson, looking out of place.

For Bangladesh, pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib (1/29 in 4 overs) looked quicker than what the speedometer displayed and Mustafizur Rahaman (1/33 in 4 overs) as usual used his change of pace deliveries to good effect.

But leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (2/27 in 3 overs) should be given a lot of credit for giving the ball air and getting the prized scalps of Gill and Shivam Dube, usually a fine player of wrist spinners, bringing Bangladesh back in the game after a poor Powerplay.

When India started batting, the first three overs of the Powerplay was uneventful but in the fourth over, Gill and Abhishek took 21 runs off left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed with a six each in their kitty.

Bangladesh's most experienced T20 bowler Mustafizur was greeted by Abhishek with a six over long-on that landed near the Indian dugout and bounced into the middle tier.

The over ended with innings 50 completed and Abhishek's third six -- a slashed six over backward point.

India were cruising at 72 for no loss in the powerplay with last three overs costing 56 runs.

Once Gill (29 off 19 balls) was holed out off Rishad, Abhishek duly completed his second successive half-century in the tournament off 25 balls.

The ploy to send Dube (2) to attack their wrist spinner didn't work out as Rishad got his second wicket with a leg-break that the burly Mumbai hitter wanted to slog against the turn.

Once Abhishek was run-out, India completely lost the momentum but the score was more than good enough for Bangladesh.

(With PTI Inputs)