Cricket enthusiasts around the world had been eagerly awaiting the Asia Cup 2023 finals clash between India (IND) and Sri Lanka (SL). The much-anticipated encounter was scheduled to kick off at precisely 15:00 local time. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as rain began to fall just before the start of the match.
As the clock ticked towards the scheduled start time, cricket fans glued to their screens were met with a disappointing sight – a rain delay. The rain had picked up a bit, casting doubts over whether the match would begin as scheduled.
With the skies looking gloomy and the rain showing no signs of stopping, the entire ground was covered in a bid to protect the pitch and outfield from the downpour. The hope among players, officials, and fans alike was that this was just one passing rain cloud, and once it cleared, the action would get underway.
Earlier – Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to bat
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(w), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana
Captain’s Statements:
Rohit Sharma (India Captain): We would have chosen to bat first as well; it appears to be a dry pitch. We are confident in our ability to chase down any target Sri Lanka sets. This presents an opportunity to adopt an aggressive approach with the ball and evaluate the pitch’s behavior. In the previous game, we came close; anything around 240 on this surface is deemed competitive. Our focus today is to excel with the ball and then assess our batting performance. The crowd has been exceptional, showing strong support for both teams, with perhaps a slight edge for Sri Lanka. We hope they witness an exhilarating final. Everyone is back after the rest in the last game, except for Axar, who is injured, and Washington Sundar is his replacement.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka Captain): We have opted to bat first. The pitch appears to be favorable, with some expected turn during the afternoon. This time, we are fortunate to have enthusiastic crowds supporting us. I am delighted with the performance of our young talents – Wellalage, Pathirana, and Samarawickrama. Our team is strong, and we have achieved commendable results, providing a significant boost for the upcoming World Cup. We have made one change – Theekshana is out, and Dushan Hemantha takes his plac
