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Asia Cup Final | Shardul Thakur 'Dropped' As India To Field First vs Sri Lanka

image-lmna2nv7Two captains posing with the Asia Cup trophy ahead of the final (AP Photos)

The Asia Cup 2023 final between India and Sri Lanka will take place on Sunday (September 17) at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In a shocking development, the Men in Blue’s skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed they won’t field Shardul Thakur, who took the most wickets among their pacers in the competition until today, in the summit clash. To replace him, Washington Sundar has come to the mix.

Unfortunately, the rain started to pour down second before the scheduled start of play. However, after a 40-minute pause, the game got its delayed start.

Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and confirmed Sri Lanka will bat first in the much-anticipated clash. The Lankan side will have a forced change, with Dushan Hemantha coming to replace injured Maheesh Theekshana.

For India, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav, who were rested for their previous outing against Bangladesh, have all returned to the playing XI.

Captains' Thoughts Ahead of the Asia Cup Final

Dasun Shanaka

“We'll bat first. Seems like a good wicket, there will be some turn in the afternoon. Last year, we weren't able to get these crowds but this time we are really fortunate. I'm very pleased with the youngsters - Wellalage, Pathirana, Samarawickrama. It is a good team and the results are there, this is a good boost for the WC. One change for us - Theekshana out, Dushan Hemantha in.”

Rohit Sharma

"We would have batted first too, looks like a dry pitch. We are confident of chasing down whatever Sri Lanka put on the board. This is a good chance to go aggressive with the ball and see what the surface offers. We came really close last game, anything about 240 on this surface is good. Our job today is to do well with the ball, and then see what we can do with the bat. The crowd has been brilliant, there is good support for both teams but probably a bit more for Sri Lanka. Hopefully, they get to witness a good final. Everyone's back after the rest in the last game, Axar is injured so Washington Sundar comes in for him."



IND vs SL Playing XIs

India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Playing XI vs India

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana