Asia Cup Final 2023: IND vs SL Match Preview, Head-to-Head, Pitch Report, Top Players, Playing XI
The anticipation is finally over as Sri Lanka has secured their spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2023. They have reached the final for the second consecutive year and this time they will be facing India. Have you had the opportunity to win back-to-back cricket bets on our platform? If not, it’s not too late to join us. Take advantage of our cricket betting tips to place your bets and have a chance to win substantial cash rewards and exclusive offers. For cricket enthusiasts, this article offers valuable match insights, including pitch conditions, key players, match preview etc. Join us now to experience the excitement of your favourite game.
Asia Cup Final 2023: IND vs SL Match Details
The final of the Asia Cup 2023 is set to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with the match scheduled to begin at 3 PM IST, at the same venue.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The pitch is favorable for batting, with some early seam movement for the pacers and spinners getting assistance in the second innings. Batsmen need to be cautious about the stroke play at the initial stages. Once they are set, they can go on to score big.
Although the weather is cloudy, the chances of prolonged rain interruptions are minimal. Therefore, we can anticipate a full match with minimal overs lost due to weather conditions.
Ground Records
Head-to-Head Records
The below table shows how both teams have performed against each other so far. India has done well against Sri Lanka in the ODIs.
| Total Matches | IND won | SL won | Tie / Draw | No Result |
| 167 | 98 | 57 | 1 | 11 |
Asia Cup Final 2023: IND vs SL Match Preview
Team India
They have performed exceptionally well this year, rebounding from their struggles last year when they lost their spot in the final to Sri Lanka. In 2023, they have been dominant against all their opponents, except in the match against Bangladesh, which was essentially a practice game for them, with new faces in the lineup as some of their key players were rested. India is in the process of building a strong squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and their recent performances suggest that they are firing on all cylinders.
In their last match against Bangladesh, India tested some new players in what was essentially a dead rubber. Tilak Varma earned his maiden call-up, while Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Shami, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY), and Axar Patel were given the opportunity to prove their worth. Bangladesh opted to bat first and managed to post a competitive total. Shardul and Shami started brilliantly, dismantling the top order of Bangladesh. At one point, Bangladesh was struggling at 59 for 4, but then their skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy forged a crucial partnership of 100 runs.
Shakib played a commendable knock, scoring 80 runs, while Hridoy contributed with a valuable half-century. Shardul was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3 wickets, while Shami chipped in with 2 wickets and maintained a good economy. A late cameo from left-hander Nasum Ahmed helped Bangladesh reach a competitive total of 265 for 8.
However, India’s response got off to a shaky start as skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck. Debutant Tanzid Hasan claimed a big wicket early on. Tilak Varma, making his debut, failed to make an impression and was dismissed quickly. Wickets continued to fall while Shubman Gill held the other end, eventually scoring a brilliant century before getting out. Shakib skillfully rotated his spinners, making it difficult for India to accelerate. Axar Patel tried to anchor the innings but was dismissed for 42 after playing a rash shot. Mustafizur Rehman took 3 wickets, while Tanzim Hasan and Mahedi Hasan picked up 2 wickets each, leaving India just 6 runs short of victory.
Team Sri Lanka
Throughout the tournament, Sri Lanka struggled to find consistency, particularly in their batting department, despite having a strong bowling lineup. Their performances were somewhat sporadic, with moments of brilliance followed by periods of inconsistency.
In the Super 4 stage, they displayed a collective team effort against Bangladesh, completely outclassing their opponents. However, their next match against India exposed their vulnerability to high-quality spin bowling, with Kuldeep Yadav proving to be a formidable challenge for their batsmen. Earlier in the tournament, Sri Lanka had themselves thrived on spin bowling, particularly the brilliance of Dunith Wellalage.
Their resurgence came against Pakistan, who were missing some key bowlers. Sri Lanka’s remarkable victory over Pakistan boosted their confidence. Pakistan chose to set a target, but their innings got off to a poor start, with Fakhar Zaman falling early, courtesy of an outstanding delivery from Pramod Madushan. Abdullah Shafique and skipper Babar Azam steadied the ship with a solid partnership, but Babar fell to Wellalage’s exceptional delivery. Shafique followed soon after, having scored his maiden half-century.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure and took wickets at regular intervals, reducing Pakistan to 122 for 5. However, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan patiently built a partnership, taking the total to 252 for 7. Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets, while Madushan contributed with 2.
In response, Sri Lanka enjoyed a promising start, led by Kusal Perera, who set the tone for the chase before being run out. Kusal Mendis played a crucial innings of 91 runs but was dismissed at a crucial juncture. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka were guiding the team smoothly, but Sadeera got stumped off a lovely flight delivery from Iftikhar.
Pakistan tried to apply pressure, and in the end, Sri Lanka needed just 12 runs in 2 overs with 5 wickets in hand. However, in Shaheen Afridi’s over, Dhanajaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage fell to consecutive deliveries, bringing Pakistan back into the game. The final over, bowled by Zaman Khan, added a thrilling dimension to the contest. Sri Lanka required 6 runs from 2 balls, and they managed to secure a boundary off Charith Asalanka’s bat, followed by a crucial couple to seal the victory. Asalanka remained unbeaten on 49, and Sri Lanka secured their place in the final with a nail-biting win.
Top Players to Watch
Team India
Team Sri Lanka
Team Squads
Team India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma
Team Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Pramod Madushan, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando
Probable Playing XI
Team India
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Team Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Match Prediction
India appears to be the stronger and more formidable team heading into the final. They have already defeated Sri Lanka in the Super 4 round and boast a strong batting lineup. India’s top order has been in excellent form, and their middle order is well-handled by Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. In addition, India has in-form bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammad Siraj, who can be lethal against any opponent.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka has struggled in batting during the tournament. Their top order has not performed well, putting significant pressure on the middle order. The team’s skipper, Dasun Shanaka, has had a poor tournament, and his inability to finish games has been a concern. Sri Lanka’s batting largely relies on players like Asalanka, Mendis, and Samarawickrama, and they will need to make an extra effort to compete with India in the final.
Fantasy Playing XI
Based on the stats above, this could be the winning fantasy team.
Conclusion
Both India and Sri Lanka have showcased their exceptional cricketing skills to reach the Asia Cup 2023 final, with standout performances, particularly against Pakistan. India’s impressive record boasts seven Asia Cup titles, while Sri Lanka has clinched the trophy six times. Sri Lanka seeks to level the playing field by securing their 7th title, while India aims to replicate their earlier dominant performance in the tournament. Cricket enthusiasts can enhance their excitement by joining our cricket betting platform. Place your bets for a chance to win substantial cash rewards and enjoy the thrill of the game.
