India needed to win against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4’s to qualify for Finals. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, wanted to win against India and go with an advantage against Pakistan. Bangladesh lost to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Super 4’s and now, they have only one game against India. Hence, 12th September game has become highly important in Asia Cup 2023. Rain interruption threat loomed over the match but spectators got to witness a good contest. India won on a turning pitch in a low scoring thriller.
After a rare one-sided contest against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma wanted to bat first against Sri Lanka. India won the toss and batted first. Rohit Sharma completed 10,000 ODI runs and became 6th Indian Batter to achieve the feat. Also, 15th overall in ODIs and he joined major legends of World Cricket. Interestingly, Virat Kohli crossed 13,000 ODI runs against Pakistan on 11th September. And Rohit Sharma completed 10,000 ODI runs on the next day. He scored a fifty and gave a big start but India scored only 213, due to Dunith Wellalage, who took 5/40. Charith Asalanka also contributed with 4/18 figures.
In the chase, Sri Lanka lost early wickets to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. India reduced Sri Lanka to 25/3 in 7.1 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama(17) and Charith Asalanka(22) came together for 41-run partnership. Dhananjaya de Silva(41) and Dunith Wellalage(42) scared India with 63-run partnership. Indian bowlers finished the match as soon as DDS got out. Sri Lanka scored 172 and India won the match by 41 runs. Kuldeep Yadav(4/43), Jasprit Bumrah(2/30), Ravindra Jadeja(2/33), Mohammed Siraj(1/17) and Hardik Pandya(1/14) took wickets for India.
Dunith Wellalage with 5 wickets, 42 runs and 2 catches made a great impression. The 20-year old Sri Lankan seemed to have no apprehension while facing mature and experienced Indian bowlers. He made such a great impression that many experts predicted him to have a long future for Sri Lanka. Kuldeep Yadav, on his come back, became an important weapon for India in middle overs. He and Ravindra Jadeja have been able pull things back twice. Hardik Pandya’s bowling form is also looking good in Sub-Continent conditions. India has now qualified for Finals and they may try SKY, Shreyas Iyer against Bangladesh in middle-order on 15th September.
Vishal Mark Antony to release as per schedule on 15th September
