Colombo : News Agency : The performance of the Indian team in the final stage of the Asia Cup cricket tournament is shining, after a huge victory over Pakistan, the Indian team defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs on Tuesday and entered the final round. The Indian bowlers did well in this low-scoring match on a spin-friendly pitch. India scored 213 all out in 49.1 overs on the strength of Rohit Sharma’s half-century. In reply, Sri Lanka scored 172 runs. In this match, the spinners were very good. Vellalaghe of Lanka took 5 wickets and Charith Aslanka took 4 wickets. For India, Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets and Ravindra Jadeja took 2 wickets. India’s next match will now be against Bangladesh on Friday.
Sri Lanka’s hopes were dashed when India were restricted to 213 runs. The Lankan team came into the field to chase this score; But Jasprit Bumrah wasted no time in giving India their first breakthrough, as he bowled Pathum Nisanka (6) to wicketkeeper K. L. Forced to give a catch to Rahul. It was Bumrah who gave Sri Lanka another blow in the form of Kusal Mendis (15). Dimuth Karunaratne (2) who came to the opener and struggled, was run into the tent by Siraj. Kuldeep Yadav then dismissed Sadira Samarwickrama (17) and Charith Aslanka (22) in consecutive overs. Jadeja cleared skipper Dasun Shanaka (9) as he contributed to Lanka’s collapse. This time 6 wickets of Lanka were lost in just 99 runs. The batsmen could not play properly due to the ball turning on the pitch. So India’s victory seemed to be near. But, Dhananjay D’Silva and Dunit Vellalaghe pitched their tent on the field. The partnership of the two gradually moved past fifty. So clouds of anxiety began to hang over the Indian tent. At that point Ravindra Jadeja came running in as a trouble maker, he dismissed Dhananjay D’Silva as he was tempted to hit. Gill took his catch when he was on 41 runs. DeSilva and Vellalage put on a crucial partnership of 63 runs. Mahesh Tikshna, who came in to support Vellala, bowled 14 balls, but he was dismissed for 2 after substitute Suryakumar took a brilliant catch off Hardik’s bowling.
After this, Kuldeep Yadav’s two balls were enough to put a curtain on Sri Lanka’s drama. He sealed India’s victory by first dismissing Kasun Rajitha (1) and finally Mathisha Pathirana (0). Sri Lanka’s innings ended on 172 runs.
Earlier, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who won the toss to bat first, and Shubman Gill put on an 80-run stand to dominate Vellalag. He smashed Shubman (19) in his first over, caught Virat (3) in the second over and Rohit (53) in the third. K. L. Rahul and Ishan Kishan saved India’s innings. Both dealt with Sri Lanka’s spin attack with poise; But K. L. Rahul’s composure suddenly broke. K. who shared a partnership of 63 runs in 89 balls with Ishan. L. Rahul (39) was dismissed with a return catch.
Ishan faced the Sri Lankan spin with confidence but was caught by Vellalaghe on 33 (61 balls) trying to hit Charith Aslanka. Ravindra Jadeja (4) was caught in the hands of the wicket keeper on a wonderful delivery from Charith. Charith blasted Jasprit Bumrah (5) for a triple in the 43rd over. Kuldeep Yadav also returned for a golden duck on the very next ball; But his hat-trick was missed. The game was stopped due to rain. India scored 197 for 9 in 47 overs. After an hour of play, India added 16 runs and India’s innings ended on 213 runs.
