Team India qualifies for the final of 2023 Asia Cup

September 14, 2023

India’s Impressive Performance

Team India became the first to qualify for the final of the 2023 Asia Cup earlier this week when it defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka on successive days in Colombo. The side cruised to a mammoth 228-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan before holding nerves to beat hosts Sri Lanka by 41 runs in a low-scoring thriller. It was an impressive bowling effort in both matches from India, as the side restricted the oppositions on 128 (vs Pakistan) and 172 (vs Sri Lanka) respectively.

Team Combination

Unlike in the past few months, there has been little tinkering with the team combination as well, as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj remained the first-choice pacers for the Asia Cup. The only game Bumrah missed was against Nepal – due to personal reasons – as Mohammed Shami replaced him in the group match. Shami’s absence in the playing XI raised many eyebrows, as he has remained one of the first-choice pacers in the side for many years across formats.

Bowling Coach’s Explanation

“It’s not very easy to drop someone like Shami. The experience that he has and the performance that he has done for the country is phenomenal. It’s never easy to have that kind of a conversation (dropping a player),” said Paras Mhambrey, India’s bowling coach.

Mhambrey said that while it was a difficult choice, the player concerned has been conveyed clearly about the team decision. According to him, the players know that any decision taken is for the benefit of the team.

India await second finalist

Team India awaits its opposition in the final of the Asia Cup, with one of Sri Lanka and Pakistan set for the second berth in the title clash. The match between the two teams, scheduled for Thursday, becomes a virtual knock-out. However, rain and unfavorable weather conditions in Colombo delayed the toss for the game, hampering proceedings in the continental tournament.

If not for the reserve day, the Super 4 match between India and Pakistan would have also resulted in a washout, as India could only play 24.2 overs before rain eventually suspended the play on Sunday.