Match Preview – Sri Lanka vs India, Asia Cup 2023, Ultimate

Large image: Be careful for spin and rain

The continent’s crown jewel is on the road, however the two groups preventing for it come into the ultimate with totally different motivations. India haven’t lifted any multi-team trophy since their Asia Cup win in 2018, and are determined to understand how that feels. Sri Lanka, ODI rating No. 8, need to drill it in that regardless of making the ODI World Cup solely by means of the qualifiers, they’re extra than simply darkish horses.Hosts Sri Lanka possess the template to defeat India, as a result of they very practically did so final week. That they had bowled India out for 213 – all ten wickets taken by spinners, together with 4 by a part-time offspinner – and had been favourites on the midway stage. However their top-order allow them to down. Rattled by India’s tempo, they might by no means actually get well.With a sluggish, turning floor anticipated for Sunday, Sri Lanka’s greatest wager can be to comply with that bowling plan, topped up with a greater batting present. Going their means is a robust efficiency in a difficult chase in opposition to Pakistan within the digital semi-final, however that was a batting-friendly floor. They may sorely miss the injured Maheesh Theekshana, a wicket-taking menace at each stage of an ODI innings.India come into the ultimate on the again of a defeat, however with key gamers resting for the Bangladesh recreation, that consequence will not be of a lot significance. Each batter of their first XI has a minimum of one huge rating whereas their bowlers look in nice rhythm. Their stability, although, can be examined with the allrounder Axar Patel additionally dominated out with a hamstring niggle.

All that planning will matter for little or no if the climate would not maintain up. A shortened match or a washout are each potential since climate forecasts predict rain on Sunday (and Monday, the reserve day).

Kind information

India LWWWW (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WLWWW

Within the highlight: Mendis, Thakur and Washington

Kusal Mendis has been having fun with a purple patch as Sri Lanka’s No. 3. With 253 runs in 5 video games, he’s the second-highest run-scorer of the collection and his three fifties have are available wins over Pakistan (91), Bangladesh (50), and Afghanistan (92). A superb rating in opposition to India – ideally a century having been dismissed within the nineties twice – is the one factor lacking from his Asia Cup 2023 CV.Will Shardul Thakur or Washington Sundar be India’s No. 8? With Axar dominated out, India must allocate his overs to another person, ideally one other spinner if the floor stays as anticipated. That makes Washington a favorite together with his offbreaks a superb match-up in opposition to Sri Lanka’s left-hand batters. However Washington solely flew in from Bengaluru on Friday, and Shardul has been in Sri Lanka all alongside, making key contributions with the ball. India have an necessary name to make on match day.

Workforce information: Tilak within the last for India?

If India go together with Thakur at No. 8, then Tilak Varma could possibly be chosen for his function as a 3rd spin-bowling possibility.

India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Ishan Kishan/Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur/Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

For Sri Lanka, legspinner Dushan Hemantha is the favorite to switch Theekshana. They might additionally usher in allrounder Sahan Arachchige, however Hemantha has stronger bowling credentials. Kusal Perera ought to maintain his place within the XI.

Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Dushan Hemantha, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Kasun Rajitha

Pitch and circumstances: A lot for the bowlers

This would be the sixth match in 9 days on the R Premadasa Stadium, so a sluggish, turning floor is on the playing cards. Nonetheless, the anticipated moist circumstances might play a think about how a lot the ball really turns.

Stats and trivia: Win toss, bat first

“Profitable the [Asia Cup] last is essential for us as a result of we have to create a profitable behavior. Peaking on the proper time and gaining momentum on the proper time is necessary.”
India batter Shubman Gill after Friday’s Tremendous 4 recreation in opposition to Bangladesh

“The boys need to ship for the nation. As a group, now we have been underdogs. Everybody desires to carry out on the larger stage and these kids want to point out the world what they’re able to. That is the key of this younger group.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on his group’s motivation