Asia Cup 2023 Final: Rain Interrupts Proceedings, Sri Lanka Opt to Bat As India Eye 8th Title

Colombo: India and Sri Lanka are set to face off in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This highly anticipated clash marks the ninth final appearance for both teams.

Both teams secured two wins each out of their three games in the Super Fours stage, with one loss apiece.

In their previous encounter, India defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs. India batted first, scoring 213 in 49.1 overs. Rohit Sharma led the way with a 48-ball 53. Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage took a five-wicket haul, and Charith Asalanka claimed four wickets.

In response, Sri Lanka struggled, losing wickets regularly and eventually getting bowled out for 172 in 41.3 overs. Wellalage’s unbeaten 42 was the highest score, with Dhananjay de Silva contributing 41. Kuldeep Yadav secured a four-wicket haul, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each for India.

India’s captain Rohit Sharma praised the challenging pitch and expressed interest in playing on similar surfaces in the future. Shubman Gill, India’s opening batter, emphasized the importance of adapting to different pitches, especially with the upcoming World Cup.

Sri Lanka enter the final with momentum, following a thrilling last-over win against Pakistan in the Super Four stage. Captain Dasun Shanaka highlighted the team’s focus on avoiding early wicket losses, commending the performance of key players like Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(w), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj