The recent most Super 4s clash of the Asia Cup 2022 on September 6, 2022, saw India taking on Sri Lanka in what was a must-win encounter for the Rohit Sharma-led side. Sri Lanka came into this encounter after a brilliant win over Afghanistan, while India had lost to Pakistan.
Dasun Shanaka, captain of Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Islanders came into this match unchanged, while India left out Ravi Bishnoi, who was impressive against Pakistan, to bring in Ravichandran Ashwin into the XI.
However, Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka ensured India had a bad start as the spinner got rid of KL Rahul for 6 and the left-arm pacer dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck respectively. Then Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (34) added 97 runs for the third wicket when the Indian skipper fell.
Rohit Sharma made 72 in 41 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. However, after that the Sri Lankan bowlers tightened the grip as Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya (17 each) got out when India needed them to score quickly the most.
Ravi Ashwin made 15* with a six as India finished on 173/8, atleast 20-25 runs short of what they would have liked. For Sri Lanka, Madushanka picked 3/24, while Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka picked two wickets each.
Sri Lanka Chase Down The Total In A Thrilling Finish; Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka Star
The Sri Lankans knew how important this match was for them and they went after the Indian bowlers from the start. Pathum Nissanka made 52 in 37 balls and Mendis continued his stellar form, scoring 57 in 37 balls as they added 97 runs in 11.1 overs.
Indian bowlers, especially Yuzvendra Chahal did a great job to bring India back into the game, as he picked 3/34 and Ashwin picked one wicket, but the batting depth of the Lankan team proved to be too much for India.
The lack of a genuine third pacer haunted them as Hardik Pandya gave 12 runs in the 18th over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s poor display in death continued as he went for 14 runs in the 19th. Arshdeep once again almost defended 7 runs, but Sri Lanka scampered home with 6 wickets and one ball in hand.
With this win, Sri Lanka sits at the top of the points table, while India has been virtually knocked out and they will depend on the results of both Pakistani games.
Twitterverse was all shocked at the Indian team’s display in this match and slammed the team, while also lauding Sri Lanka for their amazing team effort.
Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma Achieves Unique Feat; Surpasses Legend Sachin Tendulkar In All-Time List
Here are the tweets:
Been saying for a while. Dasun Shanaka is among the best in the end overs.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 6, 2022
Well done Team Sri Lanka you deserve all the applause #INDvsSL
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 6, 2022
Buck stops at Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid doors. Pathetic captaincy & team management.
One hopes and pray that they will pull up their game before T20 World Cup.
— Sameet Thakkar (@thakkar_sameet) September 6, 2022
This Asia Cup has been replete with last over, humdinger finishes. Tonite’s match was one of these, Sri Lanka staving off a determined comeback by India to win by a whisker and go to top of the Super 4 table. After 2 defeats, India’s position precarious.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 6, 2022
India has a lot of concerns to address and they will be very disappointed with this result. Many areas to improve on before the World Cup. A special effort by Sri Lanka though. #IndvsSL
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 6, 2022
#INDvSL #AsiaCupT20 pic.twitter.com/nj6s906U8W
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 6, 2022
Most disappointing way to end the campaign. That should have certainly been a run out.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 6, 2022
wonder what shanaka’s assessment of this indian attack is #AsiaCupT20
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 6, 2022
Indian team’s weak pillars
1.Rishab pant with both bat and gloves
2.Bhuvi’s poor bowling in death overs
3.Weak lower middle order
4.Absence of our prime bowlers(Bumrah & Shami)#INDvSL #AsiaCup2022— Utkarsh Rohitas (@UtkarshRohitas) September 6, 2022
What a chase by Sri Lanka ???
Now, Pakistan or Sri Lanka has to lose all their remaining matches for India to reach Final
Hope low for India now in Asia Cup
— Yasir Mahmood (@MofaYasir) September 6, 2022
India’s Qualification scenario for the Final of Asia Cup:
– Afghanistan beat Pakistan.
– India beat Afghanistan.
– Sri Lanka beat Pakistan.
– NRR should be greater than Afghanistan and Pakistan.— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 6, 2022
The 19th over is perhaps the most important in close chases. In both games, India should have given in to Arshdeep instead of Bhuvi. In all T20s since the start of 2021, Arshdeep’s DO economy is 7.82 compared to Bhuvi’s 9.26.
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) September 6, 2022
Never thought going home without even getting into finals in a fcking Asia cup with hk, bangla, SL being 3 teams out of 4, is called new era ?
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) September 6, 2022
Better to know now what all isn’t working rather than at the time of WT20. A few firm decisions are needed with regards to selection.
But will those be taken??#IndianCricketTeam @BCCI— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) September 6, 2022
Tough one to accept that India lost against @OfficialSLC but fact is that Sri Lanka played some brilliant cricket to show they were a better side tonight.. disappointed with our result .. Hmmmmmmm #AsiaCup #INDvsSL @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 6, 2022
Team India forever, no matter what ?? pic.twitter.com/I9fMSXfmHk
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 6, 2022
