Predicting Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for Asia Cup 2023 Final against India

India or Sri Lanka, who will be the new Asian champions? The answer will be known in two days’ time when two of the most successful teams in the continental event’s history are set to lock horns in the 2023 Asia Cup final in Colombo on Sunday (September 17). The Men in Blue top the chart with seven titles, while The Lions could match the former if they can repeat their heroics of the previous edition.

India entered the final after defeating Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours. On the other hand, Sri Lanka secured their spot in the summit clash with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan. Although India managed to beat Sri Lanka in the virtual semi-finals, the hosts put up a tough fight throughout the innings. So, fans are hoping to witness another exciting contest on Sunday.

India rested a few players for their final Super Fours match against Bangladesh on Thursday. But all of them are likely to return in the final. As for Sri Lanka, will they retain the same squad that stunned Pakistan?

Let’s take a look at Sri Lanka’s probable Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023 final against India

Top-order: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis

Kusal Perera, who returned to Sri Lanka’s squad for their Super Fours match against Pakistan, is likely to open the innings along with Pathum Nissanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final. Chasing 252 in a rain-affected game, Perera gave his team a perfect start but had to depart via run out after scoring 17 runs. At No. 3, none other than Kusal Mendis, who played a match-winning knock (91 off 87 balls) to help his team advance to the final. The wicketkeeper-batter also currently tops the list of highest run scorers.

Middle-order: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka

Sadeera Samarawickrama is currently second on the list of top scorers with 215 runs including two fifties. On the other hand, Asalanka, who can also bowl a few overs, is eighth on the run chart with 179 runs. Both played sensational innings against Pakistan in the Super Fours with scores of 48 and 49 respectively. Hence, it is a no-brainer to predict Sri Lanka’s middle order in the final.

All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka

Dhananjaya de Silva’s contribution with both bat and ball has been crucial in Sri Lanka’s campaign so far, so he is likely to retain his spot as a spin-bowling all-rounder. Captain Dasun Shanaka, who led Sri Lanka to two straight finals in the Asia Cup, is the team’s fast-bowling all-rounder.

Bowling unit: Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana

Dunith Wellalage has proved that he is one of the future of Sri Lankan cricket. He is only 20 years old but has already picked up the dream wickets of many veteran bowlers. He registered his maiden fifer against India in the ongoing Asia Cup, with the wickets of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. In the very next game, he got the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam as well. Hence, there won’t be any doubt about Wellalage’s spot in the final.

While Maheesh Theekshana will be the other spinner in the team, Pramod Madushan and Matheesha Pathirana will be in charge of the pace bowling department. Notably, Pathirana is currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Asia Cup 2023 Final Sri Lanka’s Probable Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana