Asia Cup 2023 - Match 10 
India VS Sri Lanka Played at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 12 September 2023 
India 213 All Out in 49.1 Overs (Rohit Sharma 52, KL Rahul 39, Ishan Kishan 33, Axar Patel 26, Dunith Wellalage 5/40) 
Sri Lanka 172 All Out in 41.3 Overs (Dunith Wellalage 42*, Dhananjaya de Silva 41, Charith Asalanka 22, Kuldeep Yadav 4/43, Jasprit Bumrah 2/30, Ravindra Jadeja 2/33) 
India Won by 41 Runs 
Player of the Match: Dunith Wellalage 

On a wicket gripping and turning square India winning the spin trial by 41 runs almost assured its place to the final of Asia Cup 2023. 

They will have a relatively soft opposition Bangladesh in their last group match. Sri Lanka and Pakistan in a very crucial tussle will work out who meets India in the final. India winning the toss and electing to bat on the same ground where Indian batsmen blasted vaunted Pakistan attack a day before, Sri Lankan spinners made them struggle. 

Young Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage (5/40) and Charith Asalanka (4/18) bowling exceptionally well restricted free scoring Indians to 213 all out. However, on a wicket where Lankan spinners made hay, superior Indian spinners cannot stay behind. Left arm spin duo Kuldeep Yadav (4/43) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/33) ensured that Lankans could not go beyond 172. India won by 41 runs. 

Circumstances made India appear for matches on three consecutive days. Their match against Pakistan rolled to the reserve day for rain interference. It was a very important match for both the team as it was a winner take all. Indians were fresh from a Paki bashing day before when they tormented their traditional rival Pakistan by a huge margin of 228 runs. But the wicket on the day was almost opposite character. Flamboyant Indian batsmen were put to task by a very spirited young Lankan spin attack. 20 years old left arm spinner Dunith Wellalage (5/40) posed lot of questions for free stroking Indian batsmen. His smart bowling supported ably by Charith Asalanka (4/18) did not allow any liberty to Indian top and middle order. Only experienced Rohit (59), Rahul (39) and Ishan Kishan (33) making some contribution take India to 213. 

We all know that India possesses a very strong and variety spinners. On a wicket where Lankan spinners ruled the roost Indians proved equally good. It was not possible for Lankan batsmen surviving the spin trial of Indian left arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav (4/43) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/33). Jasprit Bumrah (2/30) also made inroads. An unbeaten contribution of 42 by the player of the match Dunith Wellalage and 41 by Dhananjaya de Silva were not enough for the Lankans going beyond 172. India won by 41 runs. Winning two matches on the trot India almost assured its berth for the final. Now Sri Lanka and Pakistan appearing in a knockout match will decide which plays India in the final. 

Dunith Wellalage for his excellent all round performance (42* and 5/40 including 2 catches) was rightly adjudged player of the match. It is very rare when a player of the losing team wins it. 

BDST: 1013 HRS, SEP 13, 2023 
SMS