India defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday to book their place in the final of the 2023 Asia Cup.
India have four points from two games, leaving Sri Lanka and Pakistan to battle it out to set up the summit clash of the continental tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah was the first with a breakthrough, after a minor scare when he twisted his ankle. Dasun Nissanka (6 off 7 balls)was caught behind by KL Rahul, who was finally donning the gloves instead of Ishan Kishan.
Kusal Mendis (15 off 16 balls) was next with Bumrah again striking as the Sri Lankan batter lobbed a simple catch to the substitute fielder Suryakumar Yadav.
Mohammed Siraj got in on the act too, removing Dimuth Karunaratne (2 off 18 balls) as his patience had run thin and he edged it to Shubman Gill in the slips.
Sri Lanka were rocked by the Indian pacers, ending the powerplay at 39-3.
Once Rohit turned to his spinners, the going got harder for the Sri Lankans.
Kuldeep Yadav got Sadeera Samarawickrama (17 off 31 balls) after some beautiful glovework from Rahul and almost telegraphing the way to get the wicket mere deliveries prior. Kuldeep picked up the wicket of Charith Asalanka (22 off 35 balls) too with some good work behind the stumps from Rahul.
After half the side were sent back, Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Dasun Shanaka tried to fight back before Rohit Sharma called back Ravindra Jadeja to sent his opposite number packing.
Dhananjaya and Dunith Wellalage fought back with a 63-run partnership off just 75 balls but Jadeja again proved to be the difference.
Having bowled his heart out for most of the innings, Hardik Pandya managed to get Maheesh Theekshana as Suryakumar took a stunning catch at mid-on.
