India’s go-to spinner Kuldeep Yadav yet again came to India’s rescue as the Men in Blue scripted a 41-run win against Sri Lanka to book their spot in the Asia Cup 2023 finals. After picking up a fifer against Pakistan, Kuldeep Yadav wove his magic again to destroy Sri Lanka’s middle order and claimed a special four-fer to reach 150 ODI wickets.
“For the past year or so bowling really really well. He has done a lot of hard work on his rhythm. He went back to the drawing board and worked on it. The ball is coming out nicely and you can see the results in the last 10 ODIs,” said Rohit Sharma on Kuldeep Yadav after winning the match.
After India managed just 213 runs on the board, it was on the bowlers to deliver a match-winning performance. And boy didn’t Kuldeep Yadav disappoint. While Bumrah & Shami scalped the initial wickets, Kuldeep with is mastery broke Sri Lanka’s back to seal a comprehensive win for Rohit Sharma and Co.
Kuldeep who destroyed Pakistan replicated his performance yet again, the next day as he ended the match with figures of 4/43. Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana all fell victim to the Indian spinner maestro.
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India vs Sri Lanka Highlights
India’s bowling attack combined to end Sri Lanka’s 13 ODI match unbeaten streak and seal their spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 with a game to spare, as the hosts bundled out for 172 chasing a paltry target at the R Premadasa Stadium.
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After the first 3 wickets, Kuldeep Yadav was introduced into the attack and he didn’t waste time to make his impression, Sadeera Samarawickrama fell to the experienced spinner for 17. Ravindra Jadeja joined the party as he helped Kuldeep dismantle Sri Lanka’s middle order.
But Jadeja came back to haunt Sri Lanka as he claimed Silva’s wicket while Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep swept away the rest of the batters to send India to the final and leave Wellalage unbeaten on 42.