'It was a good wake-up call...': Sunil Gavaskar on India’s close shave vs SL before Asia Cup final against Pakistan

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels playing a high-intensity thriller against Sri Lanka just one day before the Asia Cup final could serve as a valuable wake-up call for India. The Men in Blue are set to face their arch-rivals Pakistan in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.

Exactly what you need before final: Gavaskar on India's wake-up call before Asia Cup final

India posted a massive total of 202/5 riding on Abhishek Sharma's 31-ball 61. In reply, Dasun Shanaka's 57-ball 108 helped Sri Lanka tie the match which pushed the match to the Super Over. However, Arshdeep Singh's bowling wizardry ensured India's win the Super Over thriller.

"It was a good wake-up call, showing that the team was stretched right down to the wire—exactly what you need on the eve of a big final. Emerging victorious from such a challenge highlights the strength of this Indian team and the excellent temperament they possess," Gavaskar told India Today.

"Facing a tough day before the final can actually be beneficial. It wasn’t a bad day; rather, it was a hard day at the office. The team navigated the pressure well, maintaining composure in the final overs while defending their total. The final over might have been slightly better if Harshit had bowled slower deliveries instead of relying on pace, but overall, the team’s ability to bounce back despite strong performances from Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka speaks volumes about their resilience and character," Gavaskar concluded.

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Undefeated India enter Sunday's Asia Cup final as the clear favorites to defend their title against a Pakistan side desperately hunting for redemption. The highly anticipated, high-voltage clash will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28. India has navigated the eight-team tournament with a series of dominant wins, cementing their position at the top.

Pakistan, in contrast, have already been comprehensively outplayed twice by the Men in Blue, suffering losses in both the group stage and the Super Fours. India's charge has been expertly led by Abhishek Sharma, the world's No. 1 T20 batter, who has amassed 309 runs in six innings and consistently set an explosive tone during the powerplay. His phenomenal form has effectively masked a relatively lean run for skipper Suryakumar Yadav, and India's deep batting order has ensured consistency, even in challenging, low-scoring conditions.

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With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah has been instrumental in stifling opponents early in the innings. However, Kuldeep Yadav has emerged as the tournament's standout performer, becoming the leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps. Strong support from Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy has given India a near stranglehold in the middle overs, providing Suryakumar with a wealth of reliable bowling options.

Tensions inevitably run high whenever these arch-rivals meet, with their encounters carrying an added edge due to the recent military conflict between the neighboring nations. India, however, will draw significant confidence from their dramatic Super Over win against Sri Lanka on Friday, a close shave that successfully kept their unbeaten streak intact. The historical T20 International record heavily favors India, who have won 12 of the 15 matches played between the two teams, compared to Pakistan's three victories.