Finally, The Asia Cup 2023 is all set for the grand finale In Sri Lanka. India vs Sri Lanka is the final match that cricket fans are going to witness on 17th September, Sunday. Let us find some of the details regarding the upcoming match.
India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Final Match preview:
India:
After securing their place in the final after just the second match, India rested all their big players before the Final. India still fielded a dominating squad and would need other members to put their hand up and claim their spot in the playing 11.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, India got off to a good start after picking up 4 wickets. They failed to capitalize on that and a brilliant Bangladeshi partnership meant that India was chasing a total of 266 runs. Shardul was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 65 runs.
Chasing the sum of 266, India did not get off to a satisfactory start. Losing wickets at close intervals showed that they could not build any solid partnerships. In the end, they lost the match by 6 runs getting all-out for 259 runs. Only Gill scored a magnificent 121 from 133 balls.
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka has been one of the best sides in the ODI format. Now they have got that form into the Asia Cup 2023. They have been smooth so far in the competition and will want to replay their heroics from last season and beat India in the India vs. Sri Lanka match, to lift again the title.
Sri Lanka lost the toss in the last match and was put into the field. They started off to a decent start with the ball. But in the middle overs, they were incredible as they restricted Pakistan to 252 runs in 42 overs. Matheesha Pathirana was the top of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 65 runs.
Chasing 253 runs to qualify for the Finals, the pressure was on Lankans but they got off to a formidable start and looked quite smooth. Things got quite close as the match reached the end but Sri Lanka did well to keep their nerve as they won the match finally. Kusal Mendis continued his brilliance 91 off 87 runs.
India vs Sri Lanka Playing XI:
India playing XI:
Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Sri Lanka playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana
Key Players in Asia Cup 2023 finale:
India:
Virat Kohli has been doing consistently in this Asia Cup 2023. He now understood the right place to place his experience and skill during the match. Youth sensation Shubhman Gill is also doing well in this tournament and now supporting to his other side’s batter and leading the partnership higher. Jadeja with his left arm spins, picking up great momentum.
Key players: Virat Kohli, Shubhman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja
Sri Lanka:
Mendis is consistent with his bat on the pitch. He is in good form on his home soil. Matheesha has also been doing great on his bowling. Theekshana and Nissanka also can be picked as the key bowlers on the India vs. Sri Lanka match day on the 17th.
Kusal Mendis, Matheesha Pathirana, Mahesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka
India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Final Weather & pitch report:
The Asia Cup 2023 finale is set to commence at R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It has a genuine capacity of around 35,000. Although the stadium does not have a history of witnessing high-scoring games low-scoring thrillers could make the match fascinating to enjoy.
The weather in India vs. Sri Lanka will be quite overcast. But the chances of rain on match day will be around 90%. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 31°C – 25°C.
As both teams possess a power-packed batting unit, teams will want to win the toss and move with batting first thus making the best of the fresh field.
Match prediction:
India vs Sri Lanka is a match that will attract a lot of eyeballs from across the globe especially with both teams gearing up for the World Cup. India will look to grab the Asia Cup trophy at any cost, especially after the heartbreak in the last edition. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will defend their crown, showing something great in front of their fans. Still, I predict, India will defeat Sri Lanka in the Finale.
