The 2023 Asia Cup could be one of the most frustrating cricket tournaments we have seen, all credit to rain. Although rain wreaked havoc throughout the tournament, fans were able to witness a lot of exciting on-field action. However, the 16th edition of the continental event concludes with the most successful team India taking on defending champions Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 17.
Hosts Sri Lanka were not favourites until the halfway stage of the tournament. But they turned that around in the Super Fours, upsetting co-hosts Pakistan in a nail-biting thriller to advance to the final. On the other hand, India continued their dominance in the virtual semi-finals, beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan to book a berth in the summit clash.
With an exciting contest awaiting cricket fans this coming Sunday, let’s take a look at India’s probable playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka.
Top order: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli
It’s a no-brainer to predict who will be India’s top three for the Asia Cup 2023 Final. Currently, Team India’s top scorer, captain Rohit Sharma is in red-hot form with three half-centuries from five matches. His partner Shubman Gill has also been in decent form, scoring 154 runs with two half-centuries. These two will be followed by none other than Virat Kohli. The veteran ODI batter, who hit a match-winning hundred in the Super Fours against Pakistan, will come in at No. 3.
Middle-order: KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan
Shreyas Iyer’s back spasm is a blessing in disguise for the Indian management. With KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan performing well in the middle order, it will be difficult to drop any of them from the team. While Rahul also handles the wicket-keeping duties, Kishan’s presence allows the team to have a left-hander in their middle order.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel
Vice-captain Hardik Pandya is in fine form with both bat and ball. Hence, there is no chance of the management dropping their fast-bowling all-rounder. Ravindra Jadeja will be the first-choice spin all-rounder, and given the conditions in Colombo, Axar Patel is likely to get the nod to accompany the former.
Bowling unit: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Kuldeep Yadav is currently fourth in the list of leading wicket-takers in the Asia Cup with 9 wickets from four matches. Hence, there is no need to review the in-form spinner’s chances in the final. Coming to the pace bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the attackers as both have been performing well in the tournament.
Asia Cup 2023 Final India’s Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
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