The Asia Cup 2023 has been nothing short of a spectacle, and now, it's down to the two giants of Asian cricket - India and Sri Lanka. The iconic R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is poised to host riveting Asia Cup final on Sunday, September 17 when Sri Lanka and India will vie for the continental supremacy.
Earning their final berth, India showcased their might by outclassing Sri Lanka earlier in the Super Fours stage, sealing a 41-run triumph on September 12th. Sri Lanka, undeterred by this solitary defeat, staged a commendable comeback against Pakistan, ensuring their clash against India in the grand finale.
With seven titles under their belt, India have a slight edge in terms of Asia Cup trophies, while Sri Lanka trails closely with six. Historically, India have stepped onto the grand stage of the Asia Cup final ten times, whereas the Lankans have experienced the intensity of the final on 12 occasions.
The history books remind us of the unforgettable Asia Cup final of 2010 when the last time India and Sri Lanka clashed with each other in the continental event's summit clash. Hosted by Sri Lanka, India ended their 15-year wait for the prestigious trophy in a match played at Dambulla. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India's opening duo, Gautam Gambhir and Dinesh Karthik, set the tone for the innings. While Gambhir's innings was cut short, Karthik's resilience shone through with a well-crafted 66 off 84 balls. Contributions from Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Rohit Sharma bolstered India's total to a challenging 268/6. Sri Lankan bowlers Lasith Malinga and Thilina Kandamby were the standout performers, restricting the potent Indian batting lineup.
However, the Lankan chase witnessed a series of setbacks, with key players returning to the pavilion early. Both Dilshan and Matthews were dismissed without troubling the scorers. The experienced duo of Sangakkara and Jayawardene also failed to make significant contributions. Kandamby and Chamara Kapugedera's valiant effort for the sixth wicket infused some hope, but a strategic run-out executed by Raina disrupted their momentum. Despite Kapugedera's half-century, the Lankan chase fell short by 81 runs, culminating at 187. India's Ashish Nehra emerged as the game-changer, scalping four crucial wickets for just 40 runs. As the dust settled, Dinesh Karthik, for his resilient innings under pressure, was rightfully adjudged the Player of the Match.
With such rich history between these two nations, the Asia Cup 2023 final promises another enthralling chapter in the legacy of Asian cricket.
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