India vs. Sri Lanka Prediction: India lost their last game against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka won a thriller to be here

India will be facing off against Sri Lanka in the final game of the Asia Cup at R. Premadasa Stadium, Columbo. India lost their last game against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka won a thriller to be here. Who will win this game?

India form

India has been in excellent form throughout this tournament, with the exception of their recent loss to Bangladesh. They have displayed dominance against their opponents, from a resounding victory over arch-rivals Pakistan to ending Sri Lanka's 13-match winning streak. What's particularly encouraging is that the team's success hasn't relied solely on a few standout players; instead, they've performed cohesively as a unit.

Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill have consistently provided strong starts for the team. Additionally, Virat Kohli is regaining his prime form, which is a positive sign. The middle order boasts significant firepower with both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in the lineup. Kuldeep Yadav has rewarded the selectors' trust and leads India in wicket-taking. The new ball attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, while Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja will aim to control the runs during the middle overs.

The recent loss to Bangladesh served as a wake-up call, particularly in conditions where spinners hold sway. They encountered difficulties against Sri Lanka's Wellalage in the previous match and will need to strategize to counter him. On a batting-friendly pitch, India is expected to have the upper hand, but on a turning track, the contest becomes much closer.

India Predicted Lineup

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

Sri Lanka form

Sri Lanka secured a thrilling last-ball victory on Thursday, earning them a spot in this Sunday's Finals against India.

Considering the state of Sri Lankan cricket just a year ago, the team's turnaround has been truly remarkable. Even during the ongoing tournament, injuries have plagued the team, but they've displayed impressive resilience to reach their 12th Asia Cup finals, a record for any team.

While many Sri Lankan players may not be well-known names, they form a high-quality side that has risen to the occasion against all odds. Notably, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are in exceptional form. In the last match, Mendis played a brilliant innings, scoring 91, his third 50+ knock of the tournament, to keep the hosts competitive in pursuit of a challenging target. He received valuable support from Samarawickrama.

However, the true hero of the night was Charith Asalanka, who remained composed under immense pressure and guided his team to victory on the very last ball. There are a few areas that Sri Lanka will aim to address before Sunday's match.

The opening pair has struggled throughout the tournament and will seek an improved performance. Concerns also linger over Dasun Shanaka's batting form. Matheesha Pathirana has been the standout bowler with 11 wickets, but he has occasionally been wayward with his line, conceding extras. Maheesh Theekshana sustained an injury during Thursday's match, and updates on his availability are eagerly awaited.

If he is unable to play in this game, the young Dunith Wellalage will shoulder a significant responsibility.

Sri Lanka Lineup

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

Expert betting tips

The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium is quite balanced and poses some challenges for batsmen. Although India managed to score 356 runs against Pakistan, other teams have struggled to get going against the bowlers. However, once the batsmen find their rhythm, they can execute their shots effectively. A score of around 260 is considered par for this pitch, and the spinners are expected to play crucial roles for both teams.

The weather forecast indicates overcast conditions with intermittent showers throughout the day. It's worth noting that there is a reserve day scheduled for this match in case of any weather-related disruptions. Sri Lanka has showcased remarkable cricket in recent weeks, earning their place in the finals. However, beating an in-form Indian team will be a significant challenge, and they might struggle to achieve that. Nonetheless, we anticipate a closely contested match between the two teams. We bet on India to win this game.