India’s final Super 4s clash against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup turned out to be one of the most exhilarating contests of the ongoing tournament, even though the game itself was inconsequential for the standings. The high-scoring thriller went down to a Super Over, leaving players physically drained and forcing the Indian team to focus on recovery ahead of the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, scheduled just 36 hours later.
Calling the match “a game that felt like a final,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the toll it took on his squad. “Let’s have a good recovery tonight. Let us not think about that [the final] right now. Few boys had a lot of cramps today. Have a good recovery day tomorrow and we will turn up the same way we did today. What I wanted from the boys was just to execute their plans, be clear, and not to fear-that was really important, and I am sure everyone got what they wanted. Happy to be in the final,” Yadav said when asked about the upcoming clash against Pakistan.
The Indian captain also noted that several players had struggled with physical discomfort in the humid conditions of Dubai, particularly Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, underlining the physical cost of such an intense contest.
The match itself was a high-octane affair. India posted a mammoth 202-the highest total of the tournament-anchored by another blitz from Abhishek Sharma. Sri Lanka responded with a valiant chase, led by Pathum Nissanka, who produced a swashbuckling 107 off just 58 balls to keep the contest alive. With the game tied, it was destined to be settled in a Super Over.
Reflecting on the pressure moments of the match, Yadav said: “It felt like a final [laughs]. The boys showed a lot of character after the first half in the second innings. I told them to play this like a semi-final: get everyone involved, maintain good energy, and then let’s see what happens. Good to be on the winning side. To have that start, and then see someone like Sanju and Tilak batting the way they did, taking the tempo ahead from where Abhishek left [cannot say from where I left it] Sanju, not opening, going down the order, taking responsibility, and Tilak gaining confidence and responsibility-that was good to see.”
The Super Over was dominated by Arshdeep Singh, whose composure under pressure proved decisive. “Arshdeep has been in that situation many times and he has delivered for us. I only told him to back his own plans and not to think about anything else. We are already in the finals, but focus on your own execution. I have seen him execute his plans and do really well for India and his IPL franchise. His confidence says it all-no one but Arshdeep for that Super Over,” Yadav explained, highlighting the faith the team has in their young pacer.
In the Super Over, Arshdeep conceded just two runs and picked up two crucial wickets in five balls, leaving India needing only three runs to seal victory. The target was comfortably achieved in a single delivery by Yadav himself, completing a remarkable finish to a pulsating game.
While the victory extended India’s unbeaten run in the tournament, it has come at a physical cost. With only a day to recover, India will have to carefully manage their workload as they gear up to face Pakistan in a high-stakes Asia Cup final.
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