The excitement around the Asia Cup final is only growing and is palpable as Team India and Sri Lanka will be up against each other for the ultimate title at the R Premadasa stadium on Sunday, September 17. This face-off has gained heightened importance as Rohit Sharma's men are on a quest to break their silverware drought in multi-nation tournaments, a streak that began post-2018.
Historically, India, being the two-time world champions, clinched the continental title in the 2018 edition of this grand event. However, in the run-up to their battle against the defending champions, Team India faced a significant blow. Star all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 final due to a hamstring injury. This has shifted the spotlight to the in-form ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is now expected to spearhead the spin-bowling department for the Men In Blue.
Meanwhile, batting great Sunil Gavaskar in his interaction with India Today, heaped praise on Kuldeep Yadav for his outstanding performance in the tournament so far. Gavaskar emphasised, “Kuldeep has shown that he can make a difference. Wrist spin, whether right-arm or left-arm, is a potential game-changer. Not only can it fetch wickets, which are undoubtedly the most precious moments in limited-overs cricket, but Kuldeep’s modified bowling style, which involves a flatter trajectory without giving much air, combined with effective spin, poses a challenge for the batsmen."
Highlighting Kuldeep's accolades in the Asia Cup 2023, he has emerged as India's leading wicket-taker. With an impressive tally of 9 wickets in just four matches, he showcased his brilliance by bagging a five-wicket haul against arch-rivals Pakistan. Furthermore, in the nail-biting Super 4 game against Sri Lanka, Kuldeep managed to scalp four crucial wickets. But it's crucial to remember the Super 4 stage, where Sri Lanka's young gun, Dunith Wellalage, orchestrated a batting collapse for the Indian side.
In light of the forthcoming showdown, Gavaskar didn't hold back from offering strategic insights for Team India’s esteemed batting line-up. He advised, “The key lies in reaching the pitch of the ball swiftly. Given the unpredictable nature of the wicket, it's essential to drive the ball using nimble footwork whenever there’s an opportunity. The objective should be to out-think the bowler, especially when the pitch conditions are flat, reducing the chances of excessive turns.”
As the final looms large, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to witness if Team India can capitalise on their strengths and clinch the coveted Asia Cup trophy.
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