India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023: Rohit, Kuldeep lead the way as Men in Blue qualify for final with 41-run win

Kuldeep Yadav was yet again the standout performer with the ball for India as they defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs to collect their second Super Four wins in as many matches and enter the final of the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo on Tuesday.

The defeat for Sri Lanka also meant that their 13-match winning streak came to an inevitable end.

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Well done #TeamIndia #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/amuukhHziJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 12, 2023

While it was a rather moderate performance from most of the Indian batters as they were bundled out for 213, Kuldeep spun magic once again, with figures of 4/43 to see Sri Lanka off for 172 in 41.3 overs. This was just a day after Kuldeep had claimed a five-fer against arch-rivals Pakistan.

As 'KUL' as it gets! @imkuldeep18 continues his sensational form as he rips one through the batter, while @klrahul pulls off a sharp stumping.

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#INDvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/NZccClhhRW

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 12, 2023

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat. Rohit Sharma (53) continued from where he had left off against Pakistan, but despite forging an 80-run partnership for the first wicket, Shubman Gill (19) never really got going.

From 80/0 at one stage, India were 91-3. However, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan then forged a 63-run stand for the fourth wicket, to somewhat revive the Indian innings until Dunith Wellalage struck in the 30^th over to see off Rahul.

In fact, it were the duo of Kishan and Rahul who stabilized India’s middle-order, and it was a timely partnership following Virat Kohli’s (3) dismissal in the 14^th over.

There was hardly any contribution from the lower-middle order and the lower-order, barring Axar Patel’s knock of 26. Hardik Pandya (5), Ravindra Jadeja (4) and Jasprit Bumrah (4) all fell in quick succession, between the 36^th and 43^rd overs, and by now India were reeling at 186/8.

Locked & loaded for 6️⃣@akshar2026 went the aerial route to give #TeamIndia some crucial momentum in the death overs!

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#INDvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Vt9nntFyKQ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 12, 2023

India were eventually bowled out for 213, as Wellalage (5/40) and Charith Asalanka (4/18) shared nine wickets between them.

Wellalage was clinical with his performance, dismantling the Indian top-order and getting those big wickets that matter. His first wicket came in the very first ball he delivered, cleaning up Shubman Gill with a flighted delivery after coming round the wicket. Gill carried on for the forward defence, but the ball spun past outside edge and hit the top of off-stump.

Just a couple of overs later, Wellalage struck once again, this time getting rid of Virat Kohli with a short length ball, as Kohli ended up hitting towards the short midwicket fielder.

Another two overs later, in the 16th over, the 20-year-old removed skipper Rohit Sharma for 53, cleaning him up with a delivery that turned a lot, eventually crashing onto the leg stump. If there was one unplayable delivery in the match, then it was this one.

Wellalage then went onto take the wickets of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, to put India in a spot of bother.

Dhananjaya-Wellalage resistance 

On paper, this should have been quite a comfortable run-chase for Sri Lanka. But, cricket is a funny game, so much so that the match situation can change drastically at any second.

Against India, it was almost like the Sri Lankan top and middle-order were never really in the run-chase. That was until Dhananjaya de Silva came in. Along with him, would be an unlikely ally in Wellalage, who is a designated bowler for Sri Lanka. The duo would go onto put 63 runs for the seventh wicket.

Dhananjaya (41) was looking in good touch to get to his fifty, but it was a poorly judged shot that cost him his wicket. Facing Ravindra Jadeja, it was a tossed up delivery and Dhananjaya went onto go for the loft, but could not get the desired elevation as Shubman Gill at mid-on completed the catch.

Wellelage, meanwhile, was the last man standing, remaining unbeaten on 42 even after the entire team was dismissed. Had Dhananjaya and Wellalage carried on, maybe adding an extra 20-30 runs, the entire script of the game would have changed.

Wellalage took on the Indian spinners courageously, hitting Kuldeep Yadav for regular boundaries while also collecting a six against the wrist spinner, slog-sweeping over midwicket.

However, for Sri Lanka, it was just not meant to be as they live to fight another day.

Sri Lanka next face a winner-takes-all contest against Pakistan on Thursday (14 September), while India lock horns against Bangladesh on Friday (15 September). With two defeats in as many matches, Bangladesh are last in the points table and stand eliminated.