- Saturday, January 11, 2025
Whoever win the game will take a big stride towards the final to be played on September 17.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA were set to take on defending Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in Colombo in a crucial Super Four game of the ongoing edition of the tournament on Tuesday (12), less than 24 hours after their match against arch-rivals Pakistan concluded heavily in their favour.
However, as in the game against Pakistan which was split over two days, India’s clash against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium could also see rain interruption, according to the weather forecast. Reports said rain breaks could be seen during the game as showers are predicted between 2-3 pm and after 9 pm local time.
However, unlike the past few days when the heat and humidity level were high, it was more pleasant on Tuesday (12) morning as the overhead conditions remained gloomy, the Indian Express reported.
While the weather forecast for Tuesday’s game was worse on Monday as 100 per cent chance of precipitation was predicted, conditions improved on Tuesday and the local MET department said that rain could intervene in the afternoon and late evening, the report added.
Players of both sides and the spectators could still feel upbeat as the groundstaff did a brilliant job to get the ground ready for the Pakistan-India clash on Monday despite heavy showers on Sunday (10), the scheduled day for the match. Only 24.1 overs could be played on the day and the match saw a delayed start on Monday, the reserve day. Rain intervention took place in the second half of the match when Pakistan were batting but yet it could be concluded after an hour’s break.
India captain Rohit Sharma and ace batter Virat Kohli, who slammed his 47th one-day international hundred in the match against Pakistan, praised the groundstaff for their efforts.
Colombo has been witnessing heavy showers over the last 10 days and around 140 ground personnel were deployed to take care of the outfield conditions. They were working round the clock to get the tournament going.
The Indian cricket board has come under criticism for allegedly backing Sri Lanka as a co-host at this time of the year after the group fixture between Pakistan and India at Kandy got washed out on September 2. Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the tournament but Sri Lanka was later picked as the co-host after India refused to send its team to Pakistan for political reasons.
Tuesday’s game is key for both India and Sri Lanka as the winners will take a big stride towards the final. Both teams have played a game each in the Super Four and won it. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 21 runs on Saturday (9) before India crushed Pakistan by 228 runs.
It will not be an easy outing for the Indians as they will be playing for the third consecutive day and will be up against a team that has won 13 consecutive matches on the trot.
The islanders have a formidable bowling attack featuring fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana and spinner Maheesh Theekshana and it is the pair’s battle against the Indian top-order that will virtually decide the game’s outcome.
