The Asia Cup 2022 is turning out to be a cracker of the tournament with a lot of thrillers already. India and Afghanistan went undefeated in the group stage and lost their first matches in the Super 4 round. Whereas Pakistan and Sri Lanka lost one match each in the group stage and won the first match in Super 4. In match 3 of the Super 4 round, India will take on Sri Lanka at Dubai International Stadium. Let's take a look at the match preview for the clash between India and Sri Lanka:
Team News:
India
India lost to Pakistan in the first match of the Super 4 round in the last over. After putting on a decent total of 181, the Men in Blue lost it completely while bowling. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul need to sustain after firing it up in the powerplay on Tuesday (September 7), whereas the spinner Yuzvendra Chahal needs to up his game as well.
Players to watch out for:
1) KL Rahul:
KL Rahul got off to a good start and disappeared for 28 after the powerplay. The Karnataka batter will look to bag a fifty to his name at a good strike rate. He will go down as the most important player to watch out for in Tuesday's clash.
2) Deepak Hooda:
The all-rounder has done well for India so far in the shortest format of the game. However, Hooda failed to replicate his best in the high-pressure match against Pakistan. Tuesday's clash will be crucial for him and if he gets into the playing XI, he needs to step up.
3) Yuzvendra Chahal:
Yuzvendra Chahal has not been at his best in the tournament as he has been leaking runs. In the previous match against Pakistan, the lead spinner managed to bag only one scalp to his name.
Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka was brilliant the other night against Afghanistan in the first match of the Super 4 round. They will look to carry on the momentum and would look to bag the title for the sixth time. With intent in the squad, they can defeat India with ease.
Players to watch out for:
1) Pathum Nissanka:
The batter will be the key factor for the team up front. Averaging 27.44 in the format, he can do well for the island nation against a strong nation like India.
2) Bhanuka Rajapaksa:
Bhanuka Rajapaksa turned out to be the hero for Sri Lanka the other night against Afghanistan. Batting with a strike rate of 220, he ensured Sri Lanka sealed the win with four wickets to spare.
3) Maheesh Theekshana:
Maheesh Theekshana will be a crucial spinner for Sri Lanka. It was all spinner's game the other night between India and Pakistan at Dubai stadium. The grip and turn in the pitch can be highly useful and Theekshana can be the game changer.
Predicted Playing XI:Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Pitch Report:
The average first innings score at this ground in the last 5 matches is 162 and 80% of the teams have won the match bowling first. Teams winning the toss must elect to bowl first at this ground.
Match Details:
Asia Cup 2022: Match 9 India vs Sri Lanka (Super 4)
Date: 6th September 2022
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: Disney Hotstar