India Close to Exit from the Asia Cup after Sri Lanka’s victory:
On Tuesday, Sri Lanka put on an amazing run chase to defeat India by six wickets.
If Pakistan defeats Afghanistan on Wednesday, they will meet Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday, eliminating India as a result.
Sri Lanka’s openers, Pathum Nissanka (52) and Kusal Mendis (57) both scored half-centuries to set the team up for success in their chase of 174 in the Super Four match.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa and skipper Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka get across the finish line, and two scrambling byes off the penultimate ball sealed the victory.
The hopes of tournament favourites India, who also lost their Super Four opener to Pakistan, are now hanging by a thread. Rajapaksa struck unbeaten 25, while Shanaka made an unbeaten 33. Together, they put on an unbroken stand of 64 runs.
Rohit Sharma’s team will still need to defeat the Afghans on Thursday to have any hope of making it to the final, even if Afghanistan helps India against Pakistan.
Pathum Nisakna and Kusal Mendis scored half centuries to set the tone of the chase.
Nissanka completed his fifty in 33 balls, but Yuzvendra Chahal, the Indian leg-spinner, ended the stand by striking twice in one over.
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At 110-4 from 14 overs, Sri Lanka was in trouble after Chahal trapped Mendis lbw.But some brilliant batting by Rajapaksa and Shanaka saw them climb out of that hole, requiring just seven runs from the penultimate over.
When Shanaka played and missed outside off stump with two needed from two balls, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and bowler Arshdeep both failed in their run-out efforts, and the game was decided on an overthrow.
Prior to Sri Lanka’s chase, Rohit’s 72 off 41 balls boosted India’s total to 173-8. After India lost two early wickets, including Virat Kohli for duck, Rohit put up 97 with Suryakumar Yadav (34).
After a protracted batting slump, Kohli regained his form with two consecutive half-centuries in the event. When Kohli turned around, the thin crowd of mostly Indian supporters fell silent.
Rohit responded by launching a barrage of boundaries, but his exit left Sri Lanka free to take advantage and take late wickets to keep the score low. Each of Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne took two wickets.
