Asia Cup: Kuldeep, Jadeja spin India into the final

India took the field for the third consecutive day as they were up against Sri Lanka. The fourth game of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2023 took place at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. India opted to bat first and were bundled out for just 213. The game went down the wire but India was better as they wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings for 172 runs to win the game by 41 runs.

Rohit Sharma (53:48, 7x4, 2x6) and Shubman Gill (19: 25b, 2x4) yet again provided India with a brilliant start. The duo stitched their third consecutive fifty-plus partnership in the tournament as they added 80 runs for the opening wicket. However, after that Dunith Wellalage dismantled the Indian top-order and removed both openers along with Virat Kohli. KL Rahul (39:44b, 2x4) and Ishan Kishan (33:61b, 1x4, 1x6) then steadied the ship and added crucial 63 runs for the fourth wicket. After that, nothing went India’s way as Wellalage picked five wickets and Charith Asalanka also picked four scalps. Axar Patel (26:36b, 1x6) played a vital hand in the end that powered India to a total of 213.

Sri Lanka was off the worst possible start in their chase as they lost both their openers along with Kusal Mendis (15:16b, 3x4) for just 25 runs. Sadeera Samarawickrama (17:31b, 1x4) and Charith Asalanka (22:35b, 2x4) added vital 43 runs for the fourth wicket. But they both lost their wickets in quick succession of time followed by Dasun Shanaka that saw the home team tottering at 99 for six. With pressure up the ranks, Dhananjaya de Silva (41:66b, 5x4) then joined hands with Dunith Wellalage (42 n.o.; 46b, 3x4, 1x6) and the duo soaked in all the pressure and played sensibly. They added 63 runs for the seventh wicket and brought Sri Lanka back in the game. But after Dhananjaya’s wicket, Sri Lanka lost wickets quickly and were bundled out for 172. Kuldeep Yadav picked four wickets whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja bagged two scalps each. Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Siraj also took a wicket each. 

India are now through to the final on Friday.

 Match Summary
India: 213 (49.1)
Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Shubman Gill-11.1 ov), 2-90 (Virat Kohli-13.5 ov), 3-91 (Rohit Sharma-15.1 ov), 4-154 (KL Rahul-29.6 ov), 5-170 (Ishan Kishan-34.2 ov), 6-172 (Hardik Pandya-35.6 ov), 7-178 (Ravindra Jadeja-38.5 ov), 8-186 (Jasprit Bumrah-42.1 ov), 9-186 (Kuldeep Yadav-42.2 ov), 10-213 (Axar Patel-49.1 ov) 

Sri Lanka: 172 (41.3)
Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Pathum Nissanka-2.1 ov), 2-25 (Kusal Mendis-6.4 ov), 3-25 (Dimuth Karunaratne-7.1 ov), 4-68 (Sadeera Samarawickrama-17.3 ov), 5-73 (Charith Asalanka-19.2 ov), 6-99 (Dasun Shanaka-25.1 ov), 6-99 (Dasun Shanaka-25.1 ov), 7-162 (Dhananjaya de Silva-37.3 ov), 8-171 (Maheesh Theekshana-40.5 ov), 9-172 (Kasun Rajitha-41.1 ov), 10-172 (Matheesha Pathirana-41.3 ov) 

SCORECARD

Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Match Details
Toss: India, elected to bat
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Start time: 0930 hrs GMT
Match officials: Masudur Rahman, Richard Illingworth (On-field Umpires); Paul Wilson (TV Umpire); Asif Yaqoob (Reserve Umpire); Javagal Srinath (Match-referee)