COLOMBO: In a highly anticipated final match of the Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and India, Sri Lanka’s skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to bat first. However, the start of the match was delayed due to a wet outfield.
Sri Lanka made one change to their lineup, bringing in all-rounder Dushan Hemantha for the injured Maheesh Theekshana. The tournament has been plagued by rain, and there were forecasts for more rain on the evening of the final.
Sri Lanka entered the final as underdogs but secured their spot by defeating Pakistan in their last Super Four encounter. The island nation had won the previous Asia Cup, which was played in the T20 format.
For India, Washington Sundar replaced the injured Axar Patel, who was injured in a Super Four match against Bangladesh. Sundar, an off-spinner who bats left-handed, joined the team just before the final.
Key players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah returned to the Indian lineup after being rested. Led by Rohit Sharma, India aimed to add another Asia Cup title to their collection, both in ODI and T20 formats.
To account for potential rain delays, Monday was kept as a reserve day for the final match.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana.
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
Umpires: Ahmed Shah Pakteen (AFG), Richard Illingworth (ENG)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
