The Super 4 match between India and Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 went to the extreme, although the scoreboard may not suggest so. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team eventually won by 41 runs after setting a target of 214 runs for the Asia Cup 2023 co-hosts. However, Indian bowlers came into action when it mattered most, with Kuldeep Yadav making a took four wickets. Sri Lanka got a boost from some gritty innings from the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage, but India held their nerve to cruise to victory.
Former Indian cricket team star Gautam Gambhir called India’s win over Sri Lanka even more ‘convincing’ than the one against Pakistan. India had defeated Pakistan by 228 runs on Monday.
“For me, this win was more convincing than Pakistan’s. We won against Pakistan by a lead of 228 runs, but this would give them a lot of confidence,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports.
“There was no doubt about the batting unit. There were always doubts about Jasprit Bumrah’s return from injury. Then you had Kuldeep and the other bowlers.
“But defending 217 on this wicket, plus the conditions. I know there was a bit of grip on the wicket, but it was more grippy in the first innings.”
Gambhir added that the gritty win against a team like Sri Lanka, who play spin very well, will give the team confidence.
“If they defend 217 against Sri Lanka, they are a very good side playing against spin. This would give them a lot of confidence going into the final and then the World Cup. Because the moment Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav start shooting, I think it gives a lot of confidence to the captain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indian bowlers put up a tremendous collective effort to take their team to a 41-run win over feisty Sri Lanka in a Super 4 match and into the Asia Cup final on Tuesday. Rohit Sharma’s fifty (53 off 48 balls) was the cornerstone of India’s sub-par 213 after Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage (5/40) and Charith Asalanka (4/18) fooled them.
But India, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s 4 for 43, defeated Sri Lanka for 172.
India, who entered the final with four points, will face Sri Lanka or Pakistan in the top match on Sunday. The home team will play against Pakistan on Thursday.
The insipid effort from their batsmen made it mandatory for the Indian bowlers to cash in from ball one, and Jasprit Bumrah led the way with some great bowling.
With PTI inputs
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