IND vs SL: Fatigued But Confident India To Face Sri Lanka In Third Consecutive Asia Super 4 Clash

In the Asia Cup 2023, India is slated to compete on the third consecutive match day, with Rohit Sharma's squad gearing up for their second Super 4 encounter against Sri Lanka.

Written by: Namrata Sawal

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: 2023-09-13 08:43:07

Summary: In the Asia Cup 2023, India is slated to compete on the third consecutive match day, with Rohit Sharma's squad gearing up for their second Super 4 encounter against Sri Lanka.

India is prepared to step onto the field for the third consecutive day in the Asia Cup 2023. On Monday, September 11, India secured a remarkable victory over Pakistan in a two-day contest at the Asia Cup. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team achieved a historic triumph. Their next challenge, scheduled for Tuesday, is against co-hosts Sri Lanka, presenting a unique set of hurdles as the Sri Lankan team grapples with their issues.

India faces a significant hurdle in the form of fatigue. In the match against Pakistan on Monday, both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul spent over 25 overs at the crease in humid conditions and followed that with 32 overs in the field. When asked about playing for the third consecutive day, Virat Kohli expressed his astonishment, stating that he had never encountered such a situation before. The former captain, who was also the player of the match against Pakistan, shared that he had adapted to the demands of the Test format and didn't perceive it as an overly daunting challenge to take on Sri Lanka next.

In the post-match presentation, Virat Kohli shared his thoughts, saying, "I was actively seeking runs, and I'm thrilled about that. However, at one point, I couldn't help but think about our game tomorrow at 3 p.m. Fortunately, being seasoned Test players, especially with over 100 Test matches under my belt, we understand how to bounce back and perform on consecutive days. The conditions were sweltering, and considering that I'll turn 35 in November, I must prioritize taking care of my body. I'm confident in my recovery and readiness to play again tomorrow." Kohli chuckled as he expressed his sentiments.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, effectively managed the workload of his players during the game. Among the pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya each bowled for 5 overs, while Shardul Thakur contributed 4 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the exception, as he exceeded the 5-over mark, bowling for 8 overs and impressively securing 5 wickets—a remarkable achievement and his first 5-wicket haul against Pakistan in ODI cricket.

If India doesn't recuperate swiftly, alterations in the team lineup might be on the horizon. However, considering that only Kohli and KL Rahul had their turn at batting on that day, and the majority of bowlers didn't exceed the quota of overs seen in a typical T20 match, it's plausible that India will opt for minimal changes.

Despite facing injuries, Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lankan team maintains its spirit. Having displayed composure and clinched a victory against Bangladesh in their initial Super 4 match, they now aim to potentially upset India. The spotlight is set on Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, entrusted with the crucial role of dismantling the formidable Indian batting lineup.