Two formidable oppositions India and Sri Lanka are set to meet today (September 17) at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo to decide which country wins the 16th Asia Cap, considered as World Cup of the cricket loving South Asia.
India won it 7 times in the past and Sri Lanka 6 times. Played in ODI format the teams already met once this time when India won a highly competitive contest of the two evenly matched teams. India since then lost its last match against Bangladesh in the last match of the group of four. India ranks number two in ICC ODI ranking while Sri Lanka is now placed at 8. In this tournament Sri Lanka with a young dynamic team played consistently well winning twice against Bangladesh, beating Pakistan in a hard-fought contest, and prevailing over Afghanistan. A win today will put Sri Lanka at level with its superior opposition India. Analyst in numbers tagged India as favorite. But present form, fitness, home condition, known environment may alter the case. Will not be at all surprised if Sri Lanka wins it surprising many.
Sri Lanka has few handicaps as five of their first-choice bowlers going unfit are not available. They played the entire tournament without four and now Maheesh Theekshana the mystery left arm spinner has also been ruled out. India on the other hand has no such injury issues. India rested Bumrah, Kohli, Pandya, Kuldeep Yadab, Siraj against Bangladesh and lost. All are expected to return today. Rohit, Kohli, Pandya and Bumrah are big event players. Kuldeep Yadav is also a key player. It will largely depend how Sri Lanka manages Indian giants. Off course in their group of four matches Sri Lanka competed very well and may come better prepared. They must have noticed chink in the arm of team India in the match against Bangladesh. Sri Lankans are too smart not to avail that.
Sri Lankan success will largely depend how their batsmen handle highly skilled Indian attack. Bumrah, Seraj, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja may tilt the balance. Top order of Sri Lanka especially Pithun Nissanka, Kushal Mendis, Dhananjaya di Silva must deal smartly with vaunted Indian attack. Fortunately, Sadeera Samrawickrama is batting consistently, and youngster Dinuth Wellalage is making contribution. In a final if Sri Lanka bats first, they must try and produce about 280-300. Currently on dry spinning surface Lanka still have strong spin attack to defend. Pathirana and Madhusan will perhaps lead Lankan pace attack. If somehow, they can squeeze out Rohit, Gill and Virat early Lankan spinners Wellalage, di Silva can try and contain Rahul, Pandya and the rest. But these will not be easy.
Indians are seasoned professionals. Rohit and Virat are too good not to deliver. India bats deep and even after losing 4-5 early wickets they have resources to hunt down any target. But India might have lost some momentum against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka may try to exploit that.
Anyway neither team is runaway favorite today. Team executing their A game today will win.
BDST: 0930 HRS, SEP 17, 2023
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