In a thrilling culmination of the Asia Cup 2023, India and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in the much-anticipated final match. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are brimming with anticipation as these two cricketing powerhouses prepare to vie for the prestigious trophy.
Sri Lanka’s journey to the final was marked by a dramatic 2-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan needed a win to set up an electrifying India vs. Pakistan final, but Sri Lanka dashed their hopes with a remarkable performance in the Super Four match.
India, on the other hand, had already secured their spot in the final by conquering both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage. A dominant 228-run victory over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium was followed by a hard-fought 41-run win against Sri Lanka in a low-scoring encounter at the same venue.
The Indian Cricket Team has left no stone unturned in their quest for Asia Cup glory. Their stellar performance throughout the tournament has positioned them as the red-hot favorites to claim the Asia Cup Final 2023 title. This showdown also presents an ideal opportunity for India to test their mettle in high-pressure situations, especially with the ICC World Cup 2023 on the horizon.
Remarkably, India has remained unbeaten in all their matches this season. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s sole defeat came at the hands of the Men in Blue. The two teams previously clashed in the marquee Asia Cup 2023 during the Super Four stage, where India emerged victorious with a commanding 41-run win. Looking at their historical head-to-head record, India has won 97 out of the 166 encounters against Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka clinched victory in 57 matches. India aims to secure an unprecedented eighth Asia Cup title, while Sri Lanka strives for their seventh crown. This will be the eighth time India and Sri Lanka face each other in the Asia Cup final, a testament to their consistent prowess in the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s remarkable feat lies in the number of times they’ve reached the finals of the Asia Cup (ODI and T20) – a record-breaking 12 times. India follows closely in second place with 10 final appearances. Pakistan ranks third with five finals, while Bangladesh reached the pinnacle stage three times.
In the 50-over Asia Cup, India boasts an impressive record of seven victories, surpassing Sri Lanka’s five and Pakistan’s two titles.
The history of the Asia Cup, encompassing both T20 and ODI formats, sees India clinching the title seven times, with Sri Lanka securing the trophy on six occasions. Pakistan made their mark by winning in 2000 and 2012. Interestingly, despite the illustrious careers of Indian cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, no Indian batsman has managed to score a century in the ODI Asia Cup final. Mohammad Azharuddin’s unbeaten 90 remains the highest individual score for an Indian player in the final, achieved against Sri Lanka on April 14, 1995, at Sharjah. Navjot Singh Sidhu closely follows with an unbeaten 84. Out of nine ODI Asia Cup finals, the Indian team has featured in eight, facing Sri Lanka seven times and Bangladesh once. Their first appearance in the final was in 1984 when they triumphed over Sri Lanka in the UAE. Most recently, in 2018, India clinched the title by defeating Bangladesh in a thrilling final match held in Dubai. As cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the Asia Cup 2023 final, the stage is set for a gripping showdown between India and Sri Lanka.
The battle for supremacy promises to be a spectacle of talent, determination, and sportsmanship. Cricket fans can hardly contain their excitement as the two cricketing giants prepare to clash for glory once more. Sunil Yash Kalra is a Women’s Cricket Historian and founder of Indian Sports Fans.
