How long is too long? Ask Indian Cricket Team. They have been World No 1 in all three formats without winning any major trophy in the last five years. Asia Cup 2018 was their last triumph. In the last Asia Cup, they could not even reach the final. But Rohit Sharma has a task in hand, end the trophyless run. They will be firm favourites but against a wounded Sri Lanka, it won’t be an easy Asia Cup final on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium. Dasun Shanaka & Co will look to pounce on any mistake.
A glance at India’s trophy cabinet will reveal the uncomfortable truth of them not winning any titles in the last five years. On Sunday, it will be a good opportunity for them to snap that unhappy streak. Not to forget a win before getting into the World Cup mode will be the ideal boost. It will be crucial especially as the Indian side hasn’t yet fully ticked all boxes.
Asia Cup Final: Morale booster before WC?
India’s last title, across the three formats, came in 2018 when Rohit Sharma & Co beat Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final. Since that victory, India’s inability to master crunch matches and occasions has been startling.
India reached semifinals of the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022. India also lost to New Zealand and Australia in the WTC finals in 2019 and 2023 respectively.
The Men in Blue also failed to make their presence felt in last year’s Asia Cup. This is a seriously underwhelming record for a team that prides itself in cricketing tradition. However, India will believe that they have a brilliant chance to add a trophy to their glittering collection come Sunday.
How will India line up?
India are certain to recall the five players who were rested for the Super 4 match against Bangladesh. The return of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya for the summit clash will certainly add meat to their batting unit. India’s batting struggled against the array of Bangladesh spinners.
Opener Shubman Gill made a top-class hundred. But the rest of the batsmen could not rotate strike effectively in the middle overs. It left the lower order with a tall task.
The match also revealed another area India needed to address. India lacked consistency in bundling out a side after making early inroads. India had reduced Bangladesh to 59/4. But the bowlers gave away too many runs in the death overs, allowing their neighbours to post a healthy 265.
India will hope that the issue will be solved once Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav return.
But India are likely to miss Axar Patel. The all-rounder’s right hand received multiple beatings in the match against Bangladesh. He has niggles on his little finger and forearm along with a hamstring injury.
Even though the team management is still monitoring the progress of the left-arm spinner, they have called up off-spinner Washington Sundar as a cover. Washington was training in Bengaluru with India’s Asian Games-bound squad.
However, India will be mindful of the larger picture as well. Apart from the practice games, India have four more ODIs – Asia Cup final and three matches against Australia before World Cup. A victory here in the Asia Cup will boost their confidence ahead of the big bash next month. India are desperate to end a 10-year-long ICC trophy drought.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will feel quietly confident of their chances against India, as the home side is also on a 15-match winning streak in ODIs.
Probable India Playing XI vs SL:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Ishan Kishan/Shreyas Iyer
- Hardik Pandya (VC)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel/ Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
India Squad for Asia Cup
Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumraj, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar.
Sri Lanka Asia Cup squad:
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
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