India vs Sri Lanka 2023: Predicted Playing 11 for Asia Cup Final
Rohit Sharma and Dasun Shanaka in focus as we look at the Asia Cup 2023 India vs Sri Lanka confirmed playing 11 for the epic final clash.
After 2 weeks of rigorous competition, we are finally down to the last match of the competition, the Asia Cup 2023 final. The epic clash will witness the two Asian Giants, India and Sri Lanka taking on each other for the ninth time in the tournament’s history. While India have won the previous five occasions, Sri Lanka have won 3 times.
If we analyze the key performers so far, Shubman Gill is the leading run-scorer with 275 runs to his name. He is followed by Kusal Mendis at 253 runs and Sadeera Samarawickrama at 215 runs. From the bowling perspective, Pathirana is the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets to his name. He is followed by Wellalage and Shaheen Afridi at 10 wickets each.
The Match D-DAY is just a day away, and both teams will be looking to relax by the beach on 16th September before they take their guards for the final time on 17th September. While both the teams relax, the focus of the management shall be to find out the best 11 that will play on the 17th.
Both teams have issues of their own. While Sri Lanka have injury issues, India need to stick to their strongest 11. So, as we wait for the epic clash to begin, how about we analyze the best possible playing 11 for the India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 final? Before that, let’s look at the official match details and squad details for both teams.
Match Details:
Tournament: Asia Cup 2023
Type: Final
Where: Colombo, Sri Lanka
When: September 17, 3 pm IST
Asia Cup 2023 – Official Squad List for Team India:
Batters: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma & Virat Kohli
WKs: Ishan Kishan & KL Rahul
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna & Shardul Thakur
Team India’s Best Predicted Playing 11
Team India made as many as 5 changes in their dead rubber Super 4 match against Bangladesh. Given that India had already qualified for the final, it wasn’t a bad idea to give a chance to the players who had been warming benches in the whole tournament so far.
However, India will put forward their strongest 11 in the final vs Sri Lanka. So, expect Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasrprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj to make a comeback. While these five enter, the ones that shall be left out include Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, and Prasidh Krishna.
Given the Colombo pitches have been supporting spinners more than pacers, expect India to leave out Shardul Thakur, and play Washington Sundar, who has replaced the injured Axar Patel. This is a great opportunity for Sundar to impress the selectors as an off-spinner is the need of the hour for Team India
Apart from these changes, Shreyas Iyer’s injury may once again be in focus. It is understood that Shreyas Iyer has still not recovered, and that also didn’t allow him to feature against Bangladesh. Given that India already have a settled combination, Iyer may not be rushed, and will once again be rested ahead of the important World Cup.
Asia Cup 2023 India vs Sri Lanka – Best Predicted Playing 11 for Team India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Siraj.
Overall, Team India would not want to put the wrong foot on the acceleration peddle. They did a few experiments against Bangladesh by bowling first and playing only 5 bowlers, but playing to full strength by forgetting the previous loss is the best India will want to do in the final.
Asia Cup 2023 – Official Squad List for Sri Lanka:
Batters: Charith Asalanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanaka & Sadeera Samarawickrama
WKs: Kusal Perera & Kusal Mendis (vc)
All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva & Dushan Hemantha
Bowlers: Binura Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana & Pramod Madushan
Sri Lanka’s Best Predicted Playing 11
Coming to Sri Lanka’s best playing 11, the main question shall be the injury concern of Maheesh Theekshana. Theekshana suffered an on-field harm string injury against Pakistan. The extent of the injury isn’t known as yet, but it generally takes a few days to recover. Will Sri Lanka take this risk, and play him in the final by also risking ODI World Cup?
Well, Sri Lanka should ideally not do this. Unless Theeksana is 100% fit, Sri Lanka shouldn’t play him. In Theekshana’s absence, Sri Lanka have a potent option in the form of leg spinner Dushan Hemantha. Dushan is a good wrist spinner, and a good lower-order batter; thus increasing the batting depth to 9.
Asia Cup 2023 India vs Sri Lanka – Best Predicted Playing 11 for Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana & Pramod Madushan.
Top Fantasy Players 11 for India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Final:
Batters: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera & Virat Kohli
Wks: KL Rahul
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers: Dunith Wellalage, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushan Hemantha & Jasprit Bumrah
CVC Choice: Virat Kohli & Kuldeep Yadav
So, that’s about the best predicted playing 11 and fantasy team combination for the India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 final. It’s gonna be an epic clash as Sri Lanka and India, both have looked the best teams so far in the tournament. Watch out for battles that include Wellalage vs Rohit, Bumrah vs Perera, and Kuldeep vs Sri Lanka middle-order.
Please check our Telegram channel for fresh Fantasy 11 updates based on Toss, ground conditions, etc.
Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for the India vs Sri Lanka final clash at Asia Cup 2023? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2023: Final Updated Squad Players List for All 6 Teams
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
