Match 10 of Asia Cup 2023 between India vs Sri Lanka begun as both teams looked to seal their place in the Asia Cup 2023 in advance. Amid rain precipitation, India won the toss and elected to bat first. Indians were confident regarding batting first in the match as they had a terrific run while bating first in their last match against Pakistan.
Let’s delve into the details of the match below.
Match Report
India Innings – India vs Sri Lanka – Super 4s – September 13, 2023 – Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came into the middle to open the innings for India. For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha opened the bowling. Both openers provided a solid start to their team. Rohit Sharma continued from where he left off in the previous match and scored some quick runs as Shubman Gill provided support to him. Rohit completed his 10000 runs in ODIs with a beautiful six, becoming the 2nd fastest to do so. Moreover, he completed his 50th fifty in the match as well.
Sri Lanka captain, Dasun Shanaka brought the youngster, Dunith Wellalage in the 12th over, who drew first blood on the very first ball of the over as he clean bowled Gill (19 off 25) with a beauty. India were now 80-1 in 11.1 overs. Next man at the crease was Virat Kohli, who was fresh from a match winning century against Pakistan. But Wellalage had other intentions. He dismissed Virat Kohli in his very next over. Virat (3 off 12) was caught at leg square by the captain, Shanaka himself. After 4 consecutive centuries at this ground, Kohli’s unbelievable run was over at this ground. India were now 90-2 in 13.5 overs.
Ishan Kishan was promoted up the order to counter the left arm spinner, Wellalage. But Wellalage was on a real journey against India. Wellalage seemed unplayable at this moment as he clean bowled Rohit Sharma (53 off 49) in his next over. India were now 91-3 in 15.1 overs. KL Rahul, who also was fresh with a century from the last match against Pakistan, came in the middle to join Ishan. They were extremely troubled by Sri Lankan spinners as they couldn’t score freely initially. But slowly, they somewhat steadied the Indian ship as they added 63 runs in the next 14.5 overs.
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But KL Rahul was the next man to depart as Wellalage once again provided the breakthrough. Rahul was dismissed in somewhat similar fashion to Virat Kohli but this time, Rahul gave a simple catch to the bowler himself. Rahul departed after scoring 39 off 44. India were now 154-4 in 30 overs. Hardik Pandya was the new batsman in the middle. At this stage, Wellalage had taken all 4 wickets of Indian batting line up.
It wasn’t long after when Ishan Kishan (33 off 61) was dismissed as Charith Asalanka came into the party. Asalanka dismissed Ishan as he was caught at short extra cover by none other than Wellalage. It wasn’t just possible to keep Wellalage out of the game at this moment. India were now 170-5 in 34.2 overs. Ravindra Jadeja was the new man in at the crease.
In the very next over, Pandya (5 of 18) was the next man to depart as Wellalage completed his 5-wicket haul with his final ball of the match. Wellalage had a brilliant spell of bowling as he demolished Indian top order. Axar Patel was the new batsman at the crease. After Wellalage, there was still no luck for the Indian batters as Sri Lankan spinners dominated at this stage. Jadeja (4 off 19) was the next man to depart as he was caught behind by Mendis off the bowling of Asalanka. India were now 178-7 in 38.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah joined Axar Patel in the middle.
Bumrah (5 off 12) was the next man to depart he was bowled by Aslanka. India were now 186-8 in 42.1 overs. Kuldeep was the next man in, who was straight away dismissed by Asalanka on the very first ball. Kuldeep (0 off 1) was caught at slip by Dhananjaya De Silva. India were now 186-9 in 42.2 overs. Mohammed Siraj came to face the hattrick ball, who was able to defend it. Soon, Rain came into play and the match was delayed. India were 197-9 in 47 overs.
Match Resumed After Rain – India Innings – India vs Sri Lanka – Super 4s – Asia Cup 2023
After the match was resumed, Axar tried to add some valuable runs to his team total as there was a lot on the pitch for the Indian spinners as well. India’s 200 runs came in 47.2 overs. India was bowled out for 213 in the final over (49.1 overs) of the innings as Axar (26 off 36) was dismissed by Theekshana, caught at long on by Samarawickrama. Rohit Sharma top the batting charts for India with his 53 off 48, followed by KL Rahul with 39 off 44 and Ishan Kishan with 33 off 61.
For Sri Lanka, Wellalage topped the bowling chart with his outstanding 5-40, followed by Asalanka with 4-18 and Theekshana with 1-41. All wickets were shared between spinners. It’s the 14th straight game Sri Lanka have bowled out the opposition, and the first time India have lost all their wickets to spinners.
At this stage, it looked a fighting score for India as the pitch was doing a lot. So, in short, it was ‘Game on’ for India.
Sri Lanka Innings – India vs Sri Lanka – Super 4s – Asia Cup 2023
In response to Indian target in this India vs Sri Lanka match, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne came in the middle to open the innings for Sri Lanka. Bumrah opened the bowling for India. Bumrah drew first blood as dismissed Nissanka (6 off 7) as wicket keeper Rahul took the catch. Sri Lanka were 7-1 in 2.1 overs. Kusal Mendis came at no.3 for Sri Lanka.
Both batsmen tried to build a partnership, but Mendis was the next man to go as Bumrah again came to the party. Mendis (15 off 16) was caught at short cover by substitute fielder, SA Yadav. Sri Lanka were now 25-2 in 6.4 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama came to bat at no.4. But things started to seem very alarming for Sri Lankans as in the next over, Karunaratne (2 off 18) was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj. He was caught at slips by Shubman Gill. Sri Lanka were now 25-3 in 7.1 overs. Now, Charith Asalanka came at no.5.
Now, it was these two batsmen who tried to build a partnership to lay a solid foundation for victory. As things started to settle for Sri Lanka, Samarawickrama (17 off 31) threw his wicket away as he was stumped by Rahul off the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav. Sri Lanka were now 68-4 in 17.3 overs. Next man in was Dhananjaya De Silva at no.6 for Sri Lanka. But soon after, Asalanka (22 off 35) departed as he was caught behind by Rahul off the bowling of Kuldeep, who took his 2nd wicket of the match. Sri Lanka were now struggling at 73-5 in 19.2 overs.
Next man in was the Sri Lankan captain, Dasun Shanaka, who just couldn’t deliver today in batting (9 off 13). He was beautifully caught at slips by Rohit Sharma off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja, who delivered on the very first ball in his 2nd spell. Sri Lanka were now 99-6 in 25.1 overs. Next man in was Dunith Wellalage at no.8, who was just in another league of his own today. He took on Indian bowlers right from the first ball he faced on a very difficult wicket.
Both batsmen changed the odds in Sri Lanka’s favor as they counter-attacked Indian bowling. Both added 63 runs for the 7th wicket in the next 12.2 overs. Jadeja, finally broke this threatening partnership as DDS was caught at mid-on, entire Premadasa stadium was stunned. DDS departed for 41 off 66. Sri Lanka were now 162-7 in 37.3 overs. This wicket blew away Sri Lankan fans hopes.
Maheesh Theekshana came to bat at no.9. At this stage, Sri Lanka required 56 runs in 75 deliveries. But Theekshana was dismissed for just 2 off 14 by Hardik Pandya when he was brilliantly caught at mid-on by SA Yadav. Sri Lanka were now 171-8 in 40.5 overs. Kasun Rajitha came to bat no.10 for Sri Lanka. He was clean bowled in the very next over by Kuldeep Yadav for just 1 off 2. Sri Lanka were now 172-9 in 41.1 overs. Wellalage stood in disbelief at the other end as he had no support from the batters. He looked in extremely good touch but just couldn’t get the strike. Matheesha Pathirana came to bat at no.11.
With 42 runs away from victory in 53 deliveries, Wellalage just hoped to be at the strikers end somehow, but Indians didn’t let him get the strike as Pathirana was trapped lbw for a 2nd ball duck by Kuldeep Yadav, ending Sri Lankan hopes. Wellalage remained not out with his fighting 42* off 46. India won by 41 runs. For Sri Lanka, Wellalage topped the batting charts with his 42 off 46, followed by DDS with 41 off 66 and Asalanka with 22 off 35.
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For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with his 4-43, followed by Bumrah with 2-30, Jadeja with 2-33, Pandya 1-14 and Siraj with 1-17. With victory in this India vs Sri Lanka match, Indian sealed their spot in the Asia Cup 2023 Final.
Dunith Wellalage was awarded with the man of the match award for his splendid all-round sperformance (5-40 & 42* off 46).
Sri Lanka will play Pakistan in a virtual semifinal on 14th September 2023 at the same venue. If the match is washed out by rain, Sri Lanka will automatically qualify for the final due to high net run rate. Pakistani fans will be praying for a full match as victory in the match is the only way for them to qualify for the final.
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