One eye on the prize, the opposite within the sky as India tackle Sri Lanka in Asia Cup closing
Big image: Watch out for spin and rain
The continent’s crown jewel is on the road, however the two groups combating 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 ranking No. 8, need to drill it in that regardless of making the ODI World Cup solely via the qualifiers, they’re extra than simply darkish horses.
Hosts Sri Lanka possess the template to defeat India, as a result of they very nearly did so final week. They had bowled India out for 213 – all ten wickets taken by spinners, together with 4 by a part-time offspinner – and have been favourites on the midway stage. But their top-order allow them to down. Rattled by India’s tempo, they might by no means actually get better.
With a gradual, 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 against Pakistan within the digital semi-final, however that was a batting-friendly floor. They will sorely miss the injured Maheesh Theekshana, a wicket-taking risk at each stage of an ODI innings.
India come into the ultimate on the back of a defeat, however with key gamers resting for the Bangladesh sport, that outcome is probably not of a lot significance. Every batter of their first XI has at the very least one large rating whereas their bowlers look in nice rhythm. Their stability, although, shall be examined with the allrounder Axar Patel also ruled out with a hamstring niggle.
All that planning will matter for little or no if the climate does not maintain up. A shortened match or a washout are each attainable since climate forecasts predict rain on Sunday (and Monday, the reserve day).
Form information
India LWWWW (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WLWWW
In 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 five games, he’s the second-highest run-scorer of the collection and his three fifties have are available in 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 have to 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. But 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.
Team news: Tilak within the closing for India?
If India go together with Thakur at No. 8, then Tilak Varma may very well 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 exchange Theekshana. They might additionally herald allrounder Sahan Arachchige, however Hemantha has stronger bowling credentials. Kusal Perera ought to preserve 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: Plenty for the bowlers
This would be the sixth match in 9 days on the R Premadasa Stadium, so a gradual, turning floor is on the playing cards. However, the anticipated moist circumstances might play a think about how a lot the ball truly turns.
Stats and trivia: Win toss, bat first
“Winning the [Asia Cup] final is very important for us because we need to create a winning habit. Peaking at the right time and gaining momentum at the right time is important.”
India batter Shubman Gill after Friday’s Super Four sport in opposition to Bangladesh
“The boys want to deliver for the country. As a team, we have been underdogs. Everyone wants to perform at the bigger stage and these youngsters need to show the world what they are capable of. That’s the secret of this young team.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on his group’s motivation