IND VS SL SUPER FOUR MATCH 6

Right then, this wraps up a very high-voltage clash that was far from being a dead-rubber, setting up a perfect tone for Sunday's final. The Super 4 stage is done and dusted and now, it is time for the Grand Final of the Asia Cup 2025. In the 41-year history of this tournament, in both T20I and ODI formats, India and Pakistan will meet in the summit clash. But before that, India have plenty to reflect on. Their bowling came under serious fire in this game. The good news, though, is that Jasprit Bumrah will be back for the title clash - and his return will undoubtedly bolster the attack. The final will be played in Dubai on Sunday, 28th September, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). Join us then. Cheers!

Sri Lanka's PATHUM NISSANKA has been adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating century. He smashed the ball to every corner of the stadium and fought really hard by scoring 107 off just 58 deliveries. Almost brought the game home for his country, but got out in the final over.

The victorious captain of India, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, cannot hide his glee as he walks up to chat. Cheekily begins by saying that it felt just like a finale. Mentions that the boys showed a lot of character and shares that he told them to treat this game as a semi-final. Says that to have that kind of a start and the way Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma carried on the tempo ahead from where Abhishek had left was good to see. On Arshdeep Singh's nervy bowling at the backend and in the Super Over, he says that Singh has been in that kind of situation for a long time and has delivered for them all the time. Highlights that he has seen him doing the same for his franchise in the Indian T20 League. Shares that he only told him to back his strengths and not think about anything else. On Sunday's final, SKY says ​​​​​​that they will first have a good recovery. Also shares that a couple of boys had a lot of cramps in this game, as it was really hot. But tells that they will turn up in the final the same way they did in this game.

The Sri Lanka captain, CHARITH ASALANKA, is up for a chat. He reflects and says that it was a terrific game, but unfortunate that they couldn't get over the line. Adds that India batted brilliantly, but they responded well too. Mentions that they are disappointed with how things went in this Asia Cup. Ends by saying that they are a good team and will take all the learnings from here to be better in the future.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to field first, handing India the strike. India lost Gill early in the Powerplay, but Abhishek Sharma, with his trademark aggressive strokeplay, tore the attack apart, providing a perfect launchpad before departing for 61. SKY struggled again with the bat, but crucial middle-order contributions from Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson kept the innings on track. Despite a brief wobble, Tilak’s 49 and Axar’s late cameo of 21 propelled India past the 200-run mark - and it was the first time any team crossed this milestone in this Asia Cup. For Sri Lanka, wickets were shared across the board, with Nuwan Thushara standing out among them, but none of them could actually put a lid on the runs.

But with Pathum Nissanka bravely holding one end, Sri Lanka looked on course to finally execute what they couldn't do over the years in T20 cricket. Dasun Shanaka joined in at the crease with Sri Lanka still needing runs on the board. He and Nissanka stitched together a valuable 28-run stand, but the Indian bowlers kept their cool when it mattered most. Arshdeep Singh delivered a superb penultimate over, giving away just 11 when 23 were needed off the last 12 balls. Harshit Rana then finished the job brilliantly, striking with the very first ball of the final over to remove Nissanka. In the end, the contest ended in a dramatic tie. The game went into the Super Over, where Arshdeep Singh yet again, his execution was spot on and amidst all the drama, he held his nerves and picked up both wickets, conceding just 2 runs. India needed 3 to win the Super Over, and Suryakumar Yadav handsomely did the job for the Men in Blue.

Following that solid start, the focus shifted to consolidating the middle overs. Both Nissanka and Perera raced to quick fifties, combining aggressive strokeplay with smart running between the wickets. They approached the spinners with caution, but never missed a chance to punish any loose delivery, keeping the momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favor with a centurion partnership for the second wicket. But then, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy tightened the screws with a few quiet overs, forcing the batters into taking risks. The pressure told, and Sri Lanka stumbled from a dominant 134/1 to 163/4.

Despite losing Kusal Mendis for a golden duck, Pathum Nissanka laid down the perfect foundation for Sri Lanka in this massive chase. With Bumrah absent, India’s bowling looked a touch off rhythm in the Powerplay. Harshit Rana struggled for consistency, while Arshdeep Singh was taken to a tour in his early spell. Nissanka and Kusal Perera dominated the early phase, putting Sri Lanka in command with 72/1 on the board.

The last clash of the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025, and it had all the ingredients of a true nail-biter. Remarkably, the last two T20Is between these sides have both gone right down to the wire, decided in Super Overs. The first was in Pallekelle last year, and now here in Dubai - and on both occasions, it was India who held their nerve to come out on top. And both times, it was Suryakumar Yadav who hit the winning runs of the Super Over, off the first ball itself. The Men in Blue maintain their unbeaten run, somehow, but fairly, they were tested in every department this evening. Sri Lanka looked full of life in the chase of 203, and one can’t help but think, had such a batting display come in even one of their earlier Super 4 games, their fortunes might have looked very different.

INDIA WINS THE SUPER OVER! Wanindu Hasaranga bowls this short and on middle, turns in as this is a googly. Suryakumar Yadav stays back and punches it through covers. Two fielders from covers and extra covers run after it, but the Indian batters are quick and go for the third run. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, but SKY has made his ground comfortably. India goes into the final remaining unbeaten in this Asia Cup!

Welcome back for India's response. The Sri Lankans scatter throughout the field. Shubman Gill walks out with Suryakumar Yadav for India. And it looks like Wanindu Hasaranga will bowl these six balls for Sri Lanka. Yes, a big gamble by Charith Asalanka. Here we go...

... SECOND INNING ...

What dramatic five balls these have been, but we are not finished yet, folks! Full credit to Arshdeep Singh for nailing his lines and lengths to perfection. India not only picked up two wickets but also denied Sri Lanka the chance to even face all six deliveries in this Super Over. Right then, India need just 3 runs to win this game. Back in a bit with the chase. Stay tuned.

OUT! TAKEN! Well, Arshdeep Singh gets his man this time! He pitches it up, outside off, Dasun Shanaka throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to slice it off the outer half of the bat. The ball flies straight to deep backward point, where Jitesh Sharma (Sub) takes a good catch. Sri Lanka finishes the Super Over on 2/2!

OUT! TAKEN! Well, Arshdeep Singh gets his man this time! He pitches it up, outside off, Dasun Shanaka throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to slice it off the outer half of the bat. The ball flies straight to deep backward point, where Jitesh Sharma (Sub) takes a good catch. Sri Lanka finishes the Super Over on 2/2!

What happened there? Sri Lankan's innings should have been done and dusted, but somehow they are still out there. Arshdeep Singh bowls a slower one, full and around off, angles away, Dasun Shanaka tries to push it away, but misses and sets off for the run. Sanju Samson, the keeper, collects it and fires in an underarm throw at the stumps with both batters at the other end. The square leg umpire raises his finger, but Arshdeep also appeals, and the on-field umpire also raises his finger for a caught behind. Shanaka takes the review, and UltraEdge shows nothing. However, as the caught behind decision was given, it is deemed as a dead ball and whatever happens next does not matter. India are understandably disappointed but will have to go on with it!

DRAMA! MORE DRAMA! There is a clear run out, but the question is whether it is Shanaka or Mendis, as Samson scored a direct hit with an underarm throw at the batter's end. But hang on, the on-field umpire raised his finger for a caught behind appeal by Arshdeep Singh against Shanaka, but he immediately went upstairs. UltraEdge showed nothing. But since it was deemed caught at first instance, the ball was dead the moment Samson completed the catch. That means Shanaka returns to the crease, and the run-out that followed doesn’t count. The Indians have engulfed the on-field umpire and they are clearly disappointed with this decision.

WIDE! Fuller but way outside off this time, Dasun Shanaka fails to reach out for it. Wided.