IND vs SL: Sri Lanka Playing XI vs India, Asia Cup 2023, Final Match - Predicted

The final between India and Sri Lanka will take place on Sunday at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The Asia Cup 2023 is just one match away from crowning the champions of the tournament. Team India have entered their 11th appearance in the Asia Cup final, while Sri Lanka have made a record 13th final of the tournament. These two teams have also played 8 finals before this with each other. India have won five, while Sri Lanka have three.

Sri Lanka won the last edition (T20I), beating Pakistan, and are the defending champions. They will look to retain the championship to gain confidence heading into the World Cup. But they lost to India in the Super Four and will have to deliver a better show. Here, we will talk about the predicted playing XI for Sri Lanka against India in the final.

IND vs SL: Sri Lanka’s Predicted Playing XI vs India

1. Pathum Nissanka:

The Sri Lankan opener, Pathum Nissanka, has been among the runs. He has given his team good starts in a few games, which has helped. Nissanka has scored 130 runs in five innings at an average of 26. With the final on the line, Sri Lanka will hope that he can play one good innings that can help them retain the title.

2. Kusal Perera:

Kusal Perera got his first game in a must-win match against Pakistan. And he looked a million dollars for the short time that he was on the crease. He played a cameo of 8-ball 17, including four boundries. That gave Sri Lanka momentum against the Pakistani pacers. His aggressive approach will be the key to the final.

3. Kusal Mendis (wk):

Kusal Mendis has been the best batter for Sri Lanka in his format. His 92 against Pakistan was the prime reason Sri Lanka reached the final. He has scored a total of 253 runs in five innings at an average and economy rate of 50.60 and 90.03. Mendis will be the biggest wicket for India in the final because he can play big innings.

4. Sadeera Samarawickrama:

The biggest plus for Sri Lanka is that they have an in-form middle order. Sadeera Samarawickrama is another in-form player in the side. The left-hander has scored 215 runs at an average of 43 and is the third-highest scorer in the competition. He played a good innings of 48 runs against Pakistan and will look to carry on.

5. Charith Asalanka:

Charith Asalanka was outstanding against India in the last game. Adding to that, he was the one who pulled off the win from the hands of defeat against Pakistan and remained unbeaten on 49 to take his team to the final. The left-hander is in red-hot form, and after finishing the last game, he will be confident to deliver another match-winning performance on Sunday.

6. Dhananjaya de Silva:

Dhananjaya de Silva is a very key player in the Sri Lankan lineup. He can change the situation of the game with both bat and ball. He is lethal with both the bat and the ball. Silva has scored a few important runs and also taken three wickets in the middle. With the pitch offering turn, he will be very important in the bowling lineup.

7. Dasun Shanaka (c):

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka will hope that he can retain his title and become the first Sri Lankan captain to do so. Shanka will try everything to help his team win the game. He has taken four wickets and scored some important runs down the order. He has played well against India in the past and can be very dangerous if he gets going. His team will be expecting him to deliver a captain's performance.

8. Dunith Wellalage:

The Man of the Match from the previous IND-SL encounter in the Super Four, Dunith Wellalage, will try to replicate his success against the Indians. 5/40 with the ball and 42 not out with the bat, it was a brilliant all-round performance in recent times. The 20-year-old will be confident to perform once again and will be a possible threat for the Indians.

9. Dushan Hemantha:

Sri Lanka's injury list grows as leading spinner Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out of the final of the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday. He suffered an injury against Pakistan. Now, Sri Lanka have two pacers, one top-order batter, and one spinner to pick from. Then, we might see Dushan Hemantha get a game. It is still early days for the leg-break bowler, as he has played only two games. But he can be a surprise package for India, as they haven't played him.

10. Pramod Madushan:

Pramod Madushan played his first game against Pakistan and took two important wickets. He dismissed Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan in the last game. He will be keen to perform against India in Sunday's big finale. Madushan is a nippy bowler who keeps hitting the deck, which makes him a consistent bowler up front.

11. Matheesha Pathirana:

Matheesha Pathirana didn't have a great game against India in the Super Four, but he is the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2023. His slingy action makes him difficult to pick. He will try to do well this time around. Pathirana has taken 11 wickets in five games so far at an average of 22.63.