Sri Lanka upset India by 6 wickets in a nail-biting thriller in the Asia Cup

Sri Lanka defeated India by 6 wickets in the Super 4 match at the Dubai International Stadium. Chasing a target of 174, the Lankans’ captain Dasun Shanaka (33*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25*) stitched a crucial 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take their side through. Earlier, Sri Lanka rode on superb fifties by openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. For India, Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/34.

Batting first, India had a poor start as KL Rahul and Virat Kohli departed so early. Dilshan Madushanka cleaned up Kohli for a duck with excellent in-swinging delivery. But India skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (34) added 97-runs for the third wicket to steady their ship.

Rohit’s blazing fifty laid a solid platform for India to score big but other batters failed to make the most of it as the Lankans chipped in with regular wickets. India managed to post 173/8 in 20 overs, Rohit top-scored with a knock of 72-run off 41 balls. Madushanka claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka. Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka scalped two wickets apiece.

In reply, Sri Lanka had a solid start with Nissanka (52) and Mendis scoring 97-runs for the opening wicket. But India produced a comeback with Chahal bagging two wickets in the same over. Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka (1) to put more pressure on the Lankans. However, the Lankans held their nerves to reach the target with one ball to spare. Mendis top-scored with a brilliant knock of 57-runs.