India get a wake-up call from Lanka ahead of final clash with Pakistan

India got a wake-up call from Sri Lanka in an inconsequential Super Fours match ahead of the Asia Cup final with Pakistan. Pathum Nissanka played a valiant 58-ball 107 as the Lankans tied on India's total of 202/5, with Dasun Shanaka stealing a chaotic double on the final ball.

But the islanders ran out of steam in the Super Over, making just two runs, which India chased in the first ball.

Shortly before that, Nissanka almost took his side home, but miscued an attempt to clear short fine leg in the first ball of the 20th over, giving a simple catch to Varun Chakravarthy. The opener his six sixes and seven boundaries. He held a 127-run stand for the second wicket with Kusal Perera (58).

For the Lankans, this match was all about going home with their heads held high. For India, it served only the purpose of ironing out a few wrinkles in batting and bowling ahead of Sunday's final against Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah was rested, and it could be cited as a reason for failing to defend a 200+ score. However, the usually reliable spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Chakravarthy weren't quite effective either, finishing with identical figures of 4-0-31-1.

The other big question was over Sanju's position in the batting order, having been relegated to No 8, and left unused in the recent Super 4s win over Pakistan. Sanju failed to capitalise on being promoted to No 5, though he did entertain with a 23-ball 39, while Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 49.

The highlight of the Indian innings was yet another power-packed knock from Abhishek Sharma (61 off 31), who smashed eight boundaries and two sixes to steer India to 71/1 in the powerplay (6 overs). In between, Shubman Gill (4) was removed by Theekshana, who took a smart reflex catch off his own bowling, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (12 off 13) was trapped leg before by Hasaranga shortly after the powerplay.

Sanju made a patient start, rotating the strike with Varma, before he exploded, launching Hasaranga down the ground for a six. He hit the leg-spinner again over long on an over later and pulled Shanaka over mid-wicket for a third six to take himself to 39 off 23. But he miscued a slower one and was caught acrobatically by Asalanka.

India defeated Pakistan twice in the Asia Cup, first by seven wickets in the league phase and then by six wickets in the Super 4s. Still, having been exposed by their southern neighbours, Gautam Gambhir might want to work on the shortcomings on the rest day to be ready for the title match.

Brief scores: India 202/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 49 not out, Sanju Samson 39) tied with Sri Lanka 202/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 107, Kusal Perera 58). Super Over: SL 2/2 in 0.5 overs lost to India 3/0 in 0.1 overs.