In preparation for India’s second Super Four stage match in the Asia Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka, Colombo experienced overcast skies early Tuesday morning. India had previously secured a dominant victory, defeating Pakistan by an impressive margin of 228 runs on a reserve day. Their next challenge would be facing Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium. According to Google’s weather updates, there were forecasts of thunderstorms with 81% humidity and 19 km/h winds, while the temperature was expected to reach 29 degrees Celsius.
India’s luck in the Asia Cup had been somewhat fickle, with two out of three matches affected by rain. The opening game against Pakistan had ended in a draw due to rain, and the Super Four stage match against the same team had been moved to a reserve day to ensure a result. Currently, India and Sri Lanka both had one victory each, but India held the top position in the points table, followed closely by Sri Lanka in second place.
During the match against Pakistan, India resumed play at 147-2 on the reserved day following rain interruptions. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul delivered fiery centuries, setting India on a strong path. Kohli’s unbeaten 122 from 94 deliveries and Rahul’s blazing 111 off 106 balls propelled India to a commanding total of 356/2. Kuldeep Yadav played a significant role with the ball, securing his second ODI five-wicket haul and aiding India in clinching an impressive 228-run victory. Notably, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf did not even come out to bat in their chase against India.
The partnership between Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, both of whom scored half-centuries, laid a solid foundation for India’s innings. However, it was the unbeaten 233-run partnership between Kohli and Rahul that added the finishing touches. Kohli’s vintage performance and Rahul’s aggressive century highlighted their dominance in the match. Kohli, in particular, finished the innings in style with a maximum, showcasing his exceptional skills. This resounding victory secured India’s position at the top of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage table.
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