Asia ODI Series 2023 

Final: SL vs IND

Preview 

In what promises to be a cricketing spectacle, India (IND) and Sri Lanka (SL) are set to battle it out in the Asia Cup 2023 final at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium on September 17. Both teams have showcased their prowess in the Super Four stage, with India clinching the top spot after winning two out of three games, while Sri Lanka secured the second position despite a similar win-loss record due to a slightly inferior net run rate.

India's most recent clash in the Super Four stage was against Bangladesh, a contest that saw both sides opting to experiment with their line-ups, giving their bench strength an opportunity to shine. After winning the toss, India chose to bowl, and Bangladesh made the most of their batting, posting a formidable total of 265 runs. Notably, strong performances from Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy (Hridoy), and Nasum Ahmed propelled Bangladesh's innings. However, India's reply didn't begin as planned, with their opener and captain falling in the very first over. Subsequent wickets, particularly those of Shubman Gill and Axar Patel, proved decisive, as India fell short by a mere six runs, handing Bangladesh the victory.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka faced Pakistan in their last Super Four stage encounter. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, losing an early wicket. Nevertheless, a remarkable second-wicket partnership featuring Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan led to a solid total of 252 runs on the scoreboard. Sri Lanka's response seemed smooth from the outset, appearing to be on course for an easy victory. However, the game took a dramatic turn towards the end, with Sri Lanka losing wickets at crucial moments. Despite the tension, they managed to keep their composure and secured a nail-biting win by just two wickets.

As the stage is now set for the Asia Cup 2023 final, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await a clash of titans. Both India and Sri Lanka have displayed their mettle in the competition, and fans can expect an exhilarating contest at the R Premadasa Stadium. With both teams keen to claim the prestigious Asia Cup, the final promises to deliver high-intensity cricket and unforgettable moments for fans to savour.

Match: IND vs SL, Final, Asia Cup, 2023

Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023

Time: 3:00 PM

Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Pitch and Weather Report

The R Premadasa Stadium provides a pitch that heavily favours batsmen. It offers spinners a chance to excel thanks to the significant turn and bounce it provides. Batsmen can take advantage of the pitch's batting-friendly characteristics to rack up high scores. In terms of strategy, teams winning the toss may opt to field first, as the typical first innings total tends to be around 214 runs.

The weather forecast for the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo on Sunday suggests that the conditions might pose challenges for the match. According to the forecast, there is an 80% probability of rain, which could potentially cause disruptions during the game. Moreover, the high humidity levels at 79% may create discomfort for the players, and the 16 km/hr winds might have an impact on the movement of the ball.

SL vs IND Squads

IND: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma

SL: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Sahan Arachchige, Dushan Hemantha, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne

Probable Playing XIs

SL: Pathum Nissanka, C Asalanka, MADI Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, D de Silva, D Shanaka (C), K Mendis (wk), S Samarawickrama, K Perera, Matheesha Pathirana, PM Liyanagamage

IND: Rohit Sharma (C), HH Pandya, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), RA Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, JJ Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, KL Yadav

Match Prediction

India is undoubtedly the favoured team, backed by their extensive experience and cricketing prowess. Meanwhile, it's essential to recognize Sri Lanka's capabilities, as they have often been underestimated. Notably, they clinched the title at last year's Asia Cup, a testament to their potential. Sri Lanka is expected to put forth a formidable effort, although India's seasoned squad is anticipated to emerge victorious.

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