It wanted a run-fest and the drama of a Tremendous Over in a useless rubber to mild up the Asia Cup, which to date had been dominated by off-the-field theatrics.
The continuing match has usually appeared as a comedy of errors, with the winner being determined by advantage of being the ‘least unhealthy group’ on the day.
With three runs wanted to win off the final supply in regulation time, Axar Patel fumbled at long-on, and Dasun Shanaka couldn’t get better in time after placing in a sprawling dive on the striker’s finish to finish the second run, regardless that the misfield would have allowed a 3rd and sealed Sri Lanka’s win.
After either side dedicated gaffes, the scores have been fittingly stage. An inconsequential sport went into the one-over shootout, stretching effectively previous midnight in India.
Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera added 127 runs for the second-wicket to place their aspect answerable for the 203-run goal.
| Picture Credit score:
REUTERS
Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera added 127 runs for the second-wicket to place their aspect answerable for the 203-run goal.
| Picture Credit score:
REUTERS
Whereas the buildup was intricate, the denouement was swift as India captain Suryakumar Yadav took his group residence with a punch off the again foot by way of covers, wrapping up the three-run goal off the primary ball of the Tremendous Over.
Earlier, an uncharacteristically animated Suryakumar had assembled his males on the midway stage of Sri Lanka’s innings, with bowling coach Morne Morkel becoming a member of the emergency assembly.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera had raced to 114 for one in 10 overs, in pursuit of a 202-run complete, the very best of the match. Forward of an all-important Asia Cup remaining towards Pakistan, India couldn’t afford to lose its profitable momentum.
Nonetheless, the mid-innings break did little to interrupt Sri Lanka’s rhythm, as Harshit Rana continued to be walloped throughout the park. The primary ball of the eleventh was slashed by way of level by Perera, and three deliveries later, Nissanka dumped Rana’s slower deliveries for a six and a 4, first a hoick over deep midwicket after which a surgically exact reduce that bisected level and backward level.
Nissanka reached a 52-ball century with a six over Arshdeep Singh, however one other batting stutter ensued on the different finish as Sri Lanka misplaced three wickets for 29 runs.
Sri Lanka wanted 23 runs to win off 12 balls, and regardless of a horror present with the ball, Arshdeep and Harshit have been ok on the demise to simply about pull it off.
An inconsequential sport was an opportune event for India to flex its batting muscle, and it grabbed the chance to put up a mammoth 202 for 5.
Regardless that runs continued to elude Suryakumar, there have been positives for India, which, for a change, didn’t tinker with its order.
Regardless of struggling for a significant a part of the innings, Arshdeep Singh nailed his yorkers when it mattered essentially the most.
| Picture Credit score:
AP
Regardless of struggling for a significant a part of the innings, Arshdeep Singh nailed his yorkers when it mattered essentially the most.
| Picture Credit score:
AP
Although Shubman Gill departed early, Abhishek Sharma continued his scorching type with a 3rd consecutive fifty. He created his personal lengths and widths by shifting throughout his crease, stepping out to transform a size ball right into a full toss and smash it over mid-off for a six off Dushmantha Chameera. When Chameera tried cramping him down leg-side, Abhishek lined up the brief supply and hooked it over the keeper, earlier than making room on the off-side and discovering the boundary once more with a slash over level, all in the identical over.
The left-hander introduced up his fifty off 22 balls with a well-controlled pull for 4 to the square-leg fence. Solely an unforced error might have stopped Abhishek, and it transpired when he pulled a shortish supply from off-spinner Charith Asalanka straight to deep midwicket.
Suryakumar essayed a luxurious drive by way of cowl off Maheesh Theekshana, however missed a sweep in entrance of the stumps to depart for a scratchy 13-ball 12.
Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson ensured one other middle-overs slowdown didn’t observe with a 66-run partnership off 42 balls. Tilak confirmed indicators of overcoming his current demons towards spin by amassing 30 runs in 19 balls off the tweakers. Samson didn’t let the tempo drop from the opposite finish, scoring a virtually equivalent 32 runs off 19 balls towards spin.
He additionally despatched the group into delirium when he hammered Wanindu Hasaranga’s floaty deliveries down the bottom for 2 sixes and cracked a pull by way of midwicket to the boundary.
Axar, too, chipped in with a brisk 15-ball 21 cameo on a day when each run mattered, regardless that the end result didn’t matter within the bigger scheme of issues. Such was the irony.
Printed on Sep 27, 2025