India vs Sri Lanka Match Preview– Asia Cup Final 2023. The India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 final will be played on Sunday, September 17 in Colombo. The match starts at 3 pm IST. In case rain plays spoilsport on Sunday, there is a reserve day on Monday (September 18).
So far every game that India has played has been affected by rain barring their final Super 4 game against Bangladesh. There is a nearly 90 percent chance of rain in Colombo on Sunday for the final. The monsoon rain in Sri Lanka has been the biggest concern for the stakeholders of the tournament.
The ACC had earlier decided to shift the Super 4 matches to Hambantota from Colombo but then decided to make a U-turn on their decision despite knowing the rain threat as per trusted weather channels.
Meanwhile, India lost their last Super 4 match against Bangladesh. They were bowled out for 259 chasing 266 to win falling narrowly short by six runs. The senior players Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Jaspirt Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav were all rested for that game.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, won their virtual semi-final against Pakistan by just two wickets. Charith Asalanka kept his cool and hit the winning runs as Sri Lanka reached the final of the Asia Cup. If the rain stays away we are in for a mouth-watering contest.
Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka Weather Report Live Today- Colombo Rain Forecast, Asia Cup Final 2023
India vs Sri Lanka Match Preview– Asia Cup Final 2023
India
The Indian batting was tested in the absence of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya against Bangladesh. Both are expected to return to the playing XI for the final as are Bumrah, Siraj, and Kuldeep.
As per reports in Cricbuzz, Axar Patel might miss out on playing the final against Sri Lanka. He coped with a few blows during his innings against Bangladesh. Washington Sundar has been called up by the management ahead of the final. He is likely to replace him in the XI.
The extent of Axar’s injury is still unknown but there is some uncertainty regarding his availability for the final. Meanwhile, the Indian batting had had a mixed bag in the tournament so far. They were tested against Pakistan and Bangladesh but hammered Pakistan in their Super 4 game. Their key batters are in good form which makes up for an exciting contest against the Lankan spinners.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will gather massive confidence after their win against Pakistan in the Super 4 match. Kusal Mendis has carried the batting lineup on his shoulders with Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhahanjaya de Silva, and Dunith Wellalage stepping up in crunch times. Mendis will be key once again in the final. He has already scored 253 runs in five matches with two scores of 90-plus.
Their bowling has looked good despite the absence of their three key bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, and Dusmantha Chameera. Wellalage has been a revolution for the Sri Lankan side taking 10 wickets in the tournament so far. Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana have played their part as well. Unfortunately, Theekshana has been ruled out of the final with a hamstring injury. Right-arm spinner Sahan Arachchige has been called up as his replacement. Theekshana will start his rehabilitation and will “definitely be ready” for the ODI World Cup starting next month as per reports.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, , Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Sahan Arachchige
Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Records in ODI– Asia Cup Final 2023
The post India vs Sri Lanka Match Preview– Asia Cup Final 2023 appeared first on CricketAddictor.
