Team India suffered a heartbreaking six-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in a crucial Asia Cup 2022 Super-4 clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (September 6).
Asked to bat first, the Men in Blue posted 173/8 in their 20 overs on the back of skipper Rohit Sharma’s 41-ball 72.
Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets by conceding 24 runs in his four overs. Chamika Karunaratne (2-27) and Dasun Shanaka (2-26) also returned with a couple of scalps each.
In reply, the Island Nation got off to a flying start as the duo of Pathum Nissanka (52 off 37) and Kusal Mendis (57 off 37) put on 97 runs for the opening wicket.
While Sri Lanka suffered a mini-collapse in the middle overs and slipped to 110/4, the start was so good that they were very much in the chase. In the slog overs, captain Shanaka (33* off 18) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25* off 17) produced stunning cameos to take their team over the line with one delivery to spare.
For India, wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal starred with the ball, registering the figures of 3/34 in his four overs. However, his effort went in vain as India are now on the verge of a Super-4 elimination in the multi-nation tournament.
Cricket experts on Twitter praised the Sri Lankan batters for holding their nerves in a pressure chase and slammed the Indian team for their poor display.
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