Asia Cup 2022: How India Can Still Reach Asia Cup T20 Final After Super 4 Loss To Sri Lanka

The loss has diminished India’s chances of reaching the Asia Cup 2022 final and defending their title but there is still a way, more arithmetic now, Men In Blue can sneak in.

India's captain Rohit Sharma (R) and Virat Kohli (2L) greet Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa (L) and captain Dasun Shanaka

Source : AFP

Sri Lanka produced a clinical performance to beat India by six wickets in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. It was Rohit Sharma-led side's second consecutive loss and now the team will rely on other results to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2022. The loss has diminished India’s chances of reaching the Asia Cup 2022 final and defending their title but there is still a way, more arithmetic now, Men In Blue can sneak in.

India's Qualifying Scenario For Asia Cup 2022 Final

India’s road to the final depends on Pakistan’s results in its remaining Super 4 matches against Afghanistan (Wednesday) and Sri Lanka (Friday). India will require the Green Shirts to lose both their matches.

The Indian side will also require to beat Afghanistan by a big margin on Thursday in order to gain a Net Run Rate advantage.

Even with the aforementioned favourable conditions for India, the overall Asia Cup 2022 finals equation could still be a three-way battle between India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

However, a victory for Pakistan against Afghanistan on Wednesday (September 7) will dash all Asia Cup 2022 finals hope and India's campaign will end. A win by Babar Azam's side will also confirm a Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup final 2022 on Sunday (September 11).

IND Vs SL Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 Match Summary

An excellent attacking knock by captain Rohit Sharma (72 off 41) lifted India to a challenging 173-8 in 20 overs. After Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 29) was the second top-scorer for India, who would have wanted more contributions from their lower-order batters.

Chasing a competing total, Kusal Mendis (57 off 37) and Pathum Nissanka (52 off 37) gave Sri Lanka a flying start. They stitched a 97-run opening stand before Nissanka got out in 11.1 overs.

After Nissanka got out, Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters and was in some sort of trouble at 110-4 in 14.1 overs. However, Dasun Shanaka (33 not out off 18) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25 not out off 17) showed character, held their nerves and led Sri Lanka to win in 19.5 overs.

For India, Yuzvendra Chahal took three wickets for 34 runs while Ravichandran Ashwin got one.

Brief Scores: India 173 for 8 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 72, Suryakumar Yadav 34; Dilshan Madushanka 3/24, Dasun Shanaka 2/26) lost to Sri Lanka 174-4 in 19.5 Overs (Kusal Mendis 57, Pathum Nissanka 52; Yuzvendra Chahal 3/34) by 6 wickets

(With IANS Input)