Asia Cup 2023 Final: India and Sri Lanka to battle it out for continental supremacy

India vs Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final; India look to carry confidence into WC; India rely on big three; Sri Lanka dealt blow with Theekshana ruled out.

The curse of the Asia Cup has persisted. It’s not going to be India versus Pakistan, in sync with the tournament’s 39-year history.

Nevertheless, with the World Cup less than three weeks away, there will be much more at stake than bragging about the continental supremacy when India take on Sri Lanka in what is expected to be a scintillating Sunday.

While both the teams are dealing with injury concerns, Rohit Sharma and Co. will have to come up with a near-perfect show against a Sri Lankan outfit — backed by a 35,000-strong home crowd — that has nothing to lose at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Contrary to most of the last week, the weather in the port city has been brighter and hotter with every passing day.

Despite the radar alerting a couple of thunderstorms predicted on Sunday afternoon, a combination of a reserve day provision and an efficient ground-staff will in all likelihood result in either Rohit or Dasun Shananka lifting the coveted trophy on Sunday night itself.

For India, the match becomes even more important considering the pressure it will be carrying for repeating the 2011 wonders at home starting next month.