A Dead-Rubber Turns into a Classic
India vs Sri Lanka: Despite being a match with no bearing on the tournament’s outcome, the final Super 4s clash between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be a heart-pounding spectacle. A festival of runs unfolded at the Dubai International Stadium as India set a daunting target of 202 — the highest total in the tournament — powered by yet another dazzling knock from Abhishek Sharma. Sri Lanka mounted a valiant chase, led by a stunning century from Pathum Nissanka, only for the match to be decided by the narrowest of margins in a dramatic Super Over finish.
Super Over Drama Unleashed
With scores level after 40 overs of cricket, the contest spilled into a nerve-racking Super Over. Kusal Perera’s dismissal off the first ball set Sri Lanka on the back foot immediately. Chaos followed as Dasun Shanaka survived a caught-behind and a run-out in the same delivery but perished on the next, leaving the Lankans with just two runs on the board. India, needing just three, made short work of the target — Suryakumar Yadav elegantly threaded a cover drive to seal victory with a single delivery.
India’s Innings: Setting the Stage Aflame
PowerPlay Brilliance: Abhishek Unleashes Mayhem
Phase Score: 71/1 | Run Rate: 11.83 | Boundaries: 9 Fours, 2 Sixes
Inserted to bat first, India stumbled early as Shubman Gill fell to a sharp return catch by Theekshana. But Abhishek Sharma lit up the PowerPlay, counterattacking with a blistering mix of clean hits and fearless strokeplay. His fifty came off just 22 balls — his third successive half-century — ensuring India got off to another electric start, notching up 71 runs in the first six overs.
Middle Overs: Tilak and Samson Build Momentum
Phase Score: 79/2 | Run Rate: 8.77 | Boundaries: 4 Fours, 3 Sixes
India faltered momentarily post the PowerPlay, losing the in-form Abhishek and a struggling Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a well-measured partnership. Their mix of clever strike rotation and calculated aggression kept the scoreboard ticking as Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly Wanindu Hasaranga, struggled with fitness issues, weakening the control in the middle overs.
Death Overs: Composed Finish Takes India Beyond 200
Phase Score: 52/2 | Run Rate: 10.40 | Boundaries: 3 Fours, 2 Sixes
Though wickets fell — Samson and Hardik Pandya both dismissed in the final phase — India maintained tempo. The Lankan bowlers turned to wide yorkers to limit boundaries, but India’s batters responded with quick singles and twos. Axar Patel finished the innings with a last-ball six, propelling India to a commanding 202, with Tilak Varma remaining unbeaten on 49.
Sri Lanka’s Reply: Gallant, Gritty, but Just Short
PowerPlay Fireworks: Nissanka Ignites the Chase
Phase Score: 72/1 | Run Rate: 12.00 | Boundaries: 8 Fours, 3 Sixes
Chasing 203, Sri Lanka began with flair as Nissanka sliced his first ball for four. Though Kusal Mendis departed for a golden duck, Nissanka and Kusal Perera attacked with intent. Despite a few review dramas and a high-octane start, the Lankans edged ahead of India’s PowerPlay tally by posting 72 in the first six, matching fire with fire.
Middle Overs Dominance: Nissanka and Perera Shine
Phase Score: 85/1 | Run Rate: 9.44 | Boundaries: 7 Fours, 3 Sixes
Sri Lanka’s chase gained momentum as both batters reached half-centuries in quick succession — Nissanka off 25 balls, Perera not far behind. The pair punished India’s bowlers relentlessly, bringing up the highest partnership in Asia Cup T20 history with 127 runs. A rare incident saw a catch ruled dead ball due to a substitute mix-up. Eventually, India found respite as Perera was stumped off Varun Chakaravarthy — a wicket built up by Kuldeep Yadav’s tight preceding over.
Death Overs: The Game Teeters on the Edge
Phase Score: 45/3 | Run Rate: 9.00 | Boundaries: 2 Fours, 2 Sixes
India clawed back in the final stretch as Kuldeep and Arshdeep kept things tight. Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply, offering little support to the rampant Nissanka. The opener brought up a memorable maiden T20I century with a towering six but perished on the first ball of the last over. With three required off the final ball, Shanaka’s mistimed hit could only fetch two, leading to a rare and thrilling tie.
Brief Scorecard
India: 202/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 49*; Asalanka 1-18)
Sri Lanka: 202/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 107, Kusal Perera 58; Kuldeep Yadav 1-31, Varun Chakaravarthy 1-31)
Result: Match tied; India won the Super Over
