Asia cup cricket final India vs sri lanka 2023 Preview
Following commanding victories against Nepal and Pakistan, India had to play two close contests – resulting in a victory and a loss each – en route to the 2023 Asia Cup final. Much like how Sri Lanka saw their passage to the summit clash of a tournament that has already been played under the shadows of a much bigger goal, the upcoming World Cup. Not that the Sunday encounter will be used as a glorified practice game, but the sheen of it is unlikely to be carried for too long.
There are certainly bigger areas of concerns for both teams to contend with, but not one that should leave them entirely dismayed. Has India found its best combination? Are Sri Lanka aware of its best pace pack and opening duo? One man down each – Axar Patel and Maheesh Theekshana – ruled out with their respective injuries, there is an opportunity for the finalists to go deeper in search of strong alternatives and back-ups.
If the last few games of the ongoing Asian championship offered anything apart from nail-biting contests, it was answers to a few questions.
Is batting depth overrated in ODIs? Is there really a need to compromise on the quality of bowling to fit in players with better batting reputations at Nos. 8 and 9?
While Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana played their part for Sri Lanka much like Bangladesh and Pakistan’s lower order, the answer most notably came from India’s Axar Patel.
A 36-ball 26 against Sri Lanka in a low-scorer and a 34-ball 42 in a challenging run-chase against Bangladesh. The results of the contests notwithstanding, despite underwhelming returns with the ball, Axar managed to make strong contributions to the team’s cause.
Axar may be absent for the Asia Cup final, but it has allowed India to further their already lengthy experimentation of finding the perfect combination. Added to the list, as a replacement, now is Washington Sundar. With Hardik Pandya offering strong support in the pace department, can India afford to go with three spinners in order to strengthen that lower order?
When: Sunday, September 17, 2023, 15:00 Local Time
Where: India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023 Final, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What to expect: Thundershowers are expected on Sunday. Even as there is a reserve day, expect reduced overs and numerous rain breaks.
Team News
India: Axar Patel has been ruled out of the final after suffering injuries while batting in the match against Bangladesh. Washington Sundar has been drafted in as his replacement and could directly make it to the XI.
Likely XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar/Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka: Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the final due to a hamstring injury and 27-year-old offspinner Sahan Arachchige has been named his replacement. Sri Lanka have other questions to answer though. Who are their two best pacers? What’s their best opening combination?
Likely XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madhushan/Dushan Hemantha, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
What they said:
[Shubman] Gill’s hundred was brilliant. He backs his game, he knows exactly how he wants to play. Pretty clear on what he wants to do for the team. Look at his form over the last year. Pretty solid against the new ball. Works really hard; there’s no optional practice for Gill – Rohit Sharma, Indian captain after the loss against Bangladesh
We had the discussion going before the batting. The coaching staff and I spoke about the mistakes that were made in the India game, wickets were given away in the first 10 overs. Today, we did not want to make that mistake. Kusal [Mendis] and Sadeera [Samarawickrama] are the best players of spin at the moment. Charith [Asalanka] was great, it’s a character of a great player. It’s a special feeling to play back-to-back finals – Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain, after the close win against Pakistan
Preview:
India and Sri Lanka have reached the final of the 2023 Asia Cup after facing some tough challenges along the way. The focus of both teams is now on this final match, even though the World Cup is around the corner. This game will not just be a practice race, but its importance may soon fade away.
Both teams have to address their respective concerns. India are still figuring out their best team combination, especially after injuries to players like Axar Patel. Sri Lanka also needs to identify its best fast bowlers and opening batsmen. With Akshar Patel out, India has a chance to explore other options.
Recent matches in the Asian Championship have raised questions about the importance of deep batting lineups in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Do teams need to sacrifice quality bowling to include better batsmen lower down the order?
Sri Lanka’s Dunith Velalej and Mahesh Theekshana, as well as similar players from Bangladesh and Pakistan, have shown that lower-order contributions matter. India’s Axar Patel, despite performing well in bowling, also made valuable contributions with the bat. Although he will not play in the Asia Cup final, his absence gives India a chance to experiment further.
With Washington Sundar replacing Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya providing strong support in the pace department, India are faced with a choice: should they go with three spinners to strengthen the lower order?
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023
Time: 15:00 local time
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Weather Forecast:
There is a possibility of thunderstorms on Sunday, and while there is a reserve day, potential interruptions and overs due to rain are expected to be reduced.
Team Update:
India: Axar Patel has been ruled out of the final due to injury and Washington Sundar can replace him in the playing eleven.
Virat and Hardik Return after rest
Probable XI:
1. Rohit Sharma,
2. Shubman Gill,
3. Virat Kohli,
4. Ishan Kishan,
5. KL Rahul,
6. Hardik Pandya,
7. Ravindra Jadeja,
8.Washington Sundar,
9.Jasprit Bumrah,
10.Kuldeep Yadav,
11. Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka: Mahesh Theekshana is also out due to injury and has been replaced by Sahan Arachige. Sri Lanka have other lineup decisions to make, including their best fast bowler and opening combination.
Probable XI:
1. Pathum Nissanka,
2. Kusal Perera,
3. Kusal Mendis (wk),
4. Sadira Samarawickrama,
5. Charith Asalanka,
6. Dhananjay de Silva,
7. Dasun Shanaka (c),
8. Dunith Welles,
9. Pramod Madhushan,
10.Kasun Rajitha,
11. Mathisha Pathirana.
Player Quotes:
Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised Shubman Gill’s performance and his commitment towards the team.
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka talked about the team’s strategy to avoid early wickets and praised the spin skills of the players.
In short, the Asia Cup final promises to be an exciting encounter despite the challenges faced by both the teams. The weather may play a role in this, but cricket fans can expect an interesting match.