Asia Cup remaining: India eyes first title in 5 years as Sri Lanka companies up problem

The curse of the Asia Cup has persevered. It’s not going to be India versus Pakistan, in sync with the event’s 39-year historical past.

Nevertheless, with the World Cup lower than three weeks away, there shall be far more at stake than bragging about continental supremacy when India takes on Sri Lanka in what is predicted to be a scintillating Sunday.

While each groups are coping with damage issues, Rohit Sharma and Co. must provide you with a near-perfect present towards a Sri Lankan outfit – backed by a 35,000-strong dwelling crowd – that has nothing to lose on the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Contrary to most of final week, the climate within the port metropolis has been brighter and warmer with each passing day. Despite the radar alerting a few thunderstorms predicted within the afternoon, a mix of a reserve day provision and an environment friendly groundstaff will in all probability end in both Rohit or Dasun Shananka lifting the coveted trophy on Sunday night time itself.

For India, the match turns into much more vital contemplating the strain it will likely be carrying for repeating the 2011 wonders at dwelling beginning subsequent month. Having wilted underneath strain in ICC tournaments for a decade and never having received a multi-nation event title for 5 years, it will likely be paramount for India to hold the arrogance into the worldwide showpiece occasion.

On pitches which have expectedly grow to be slower with each passing match during the last week, India must get its act proper. Axar Patel, having harm his wrist and elbow throughout a valiant knock in Friday’s run-chase towards Bangladesh, is an unlikely starter. Washington Sundar has joined the squad as Axar’s backup, with the ultimate name on his formal induction into the squad to be taken afterward Saturday night time.

Should Axar be sidelined, India shall be tempted to get Washington within the XI with a watch on bolstering its batting depth and spin division.

Sri Lanka has been handled a extreme blow, with thriller spinner Maheesh Theekshana having been dominated out of the ultimate. Spin-bowling all-rounder Sahan Arachchige joined the squad for its pre-match coaching session on Saturday afternoon.

Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be risked, contemplating subsequent week’s collection towards Australia to function the ultimate health check for the batter.

India will depend on the massive three – captain Rohit, his opening companion Shubman Gill and run-machine Virat Kohli – to return to the event.

Can it return to India excessive on confidence? Or will Sri Lanka – having survived a scare within the first spherical and pulled off a heist towards Pakistan – carry the brownie factors by defending its Asia Cup title?

Over to Sunday!