Now India vs Pakistan clash is over today India will face Sri Lanka in the Super Four round of the Asia Cup 2023. The much-anticipated clash is scheduled to take place today at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Rohit Sharma, the dynamic Indian opener, leads the Indian cricket contingent in this prestigious tournament, while the experienced Dasun Shanaka shoulders the responsibility of captaining Sri Lanka.
In the group stage, India showcased their dominance by defeating Nepal with a commanding 10 wickets. However, their encounter against Pakistan ended in a no-result, leaving fans eager for more thrilling cricket action. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been fortunate with the weather gods smiling upon them, as none of their matches have been disrupted by rain. They delivered convincing victories against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the opening round and continued their winning streak by overpowering Bangladesh once again in the Super Four stage.
India and Sri Lanka have a storied ODI cricket history dating back to 1979. In the 165 matches played between these cricket powerhouses, India emerged victorious in 96 encounters, showcasing their formidable presence on the field. Sri Lanka, however, clinched victory in 57 matches, with only one match ending in a tie, and 11 games concluding with no result.
In the context of Asia Cup tournaments, where the stakes are always high, India and Sri Lanka have engaged in 19 epic battles. India has emerged victorious in 9 of these encounters, while Sri Lanka triumphed in 10 games. This close competition underscores Sri Lanka’s slight edge over India in the annals of Asia Cup history.
In recent times, India has asserted its supremacy over Sri Lanka in ODI clashes. Out of their last five encounters, India emerged victorious in four, suffering just one loss. Three of these victories were secured on Indian soil, while the remaining two were hard-fought battles on Sri Lankan grounds. In an exclusive interview on the 1XBAT cricket show on NewsX, former Zimbabwean cricketer Christopher Mpofu shared some unique insights before this clash. He said, “Indian team management has opted for Shardul Thakur over Mohammed Shami, primarily to strengthen their batting lineup. Nevertheless, this decision has sparked debates, with some considering it a defensive approach for a home World Cup. The possibility of bringing back Shami, known for his ability to wreak havoc with the new ball, looms large. If Shreyas Iyer returns to full fitness, Rohit Sharma faces a challenging decision, especially after KL Rahul’s standout performance in the last game against Pakistan.”
Further, he said, “Sri Lanka faced setbacks with several key players sidelined due to injuries ahead of the Asia Cup. Premier bowlers like Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Lahiru Kumar were unfortunate omissions. Despite these challenges, the six-time champions have maintained an unbeaten record in the competition. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis have consistently contributed with the bat, while captain Dasun Shanaka has made valuable contributions with the ball. However, the struggling form of experienced all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva remains a concern. Young talent Matheesha Pathirana has been exceptional, amassing eight wickets in three games, drawing from his experience bowling to Indian batters during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2023.”
At the R. Premadasa Stadium, pacers can extract movement off the pitch early on, provided they maintain disciplined lines with the new ball. Spinners are expected to play a crucial role as the game progresses, making it challenging for new batters to find their rhythm. Given the rain forecast, the toss-winning captain might opt to bowl first, capitalizing on the potentially favorable conditions.
Cricket enthusiasts and fans worldwide eagerly await this thrilling encounter between two cricketing giants, with both India and Sri Lanka gearing up to deliver a memorable contest in the Asia Cup 2023.
Sunil Yash Kalra is a Women’s Cricket Historian and the founder of Indian Sports Fans.
