“Boys have a point to prove…”: Sri Lanka’s Shanaka ahead of dead-rubber clash against India in Asia Cup
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Dubai, UAE – As Sri Lanka gears up for their final Super Four clash against India in the Asia Cup, all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is pumped for a tough battle. Even though his team is out of the tournament, Shanaka sees this match as a chance to show their strength ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host together.
India has already locked in a historic Asia Cup final against Pakistan – the first time these rivals will meet in the title game. For Sri Lanka, who’ve stumbled with two losses in the Super Four after a perfect group stage, this game is all about pride. They won the T20I Asia Cup in 2022 and reached the ODI final this year, so they’re not going down without a fight. A win could give India extra momentum heading into the final, while Sri Lanka aims to end on a high note.
Talking to , Shanaka called India the “best opponent in the tournament.” He added, “We’re looking for a fine match and need to prove a point. We’re still good enough, but unfortunately out. But we’ve got a World Cup coming up, so this is a good clash against India. The boys have got a point to prove before leaving Dubai.”
Shanaka knows India well – in 24 T20Is against them, he’s racked up 430 runs in 22 innings at an average of 26.87, with two fifties and a strike rate over 140. His top score? An unbeaten 74.
He gave props to India’s T20 dominance over the past decade, crediting their smart team setup. When asked about key Indian players, Shanaka spotlighted skipper Suryakumar Yadav as a “big match player,” even though SKY has struggled in this Asia Cup with just 59 runs in four innings (best of 47* against Pakistan). This year, Yadav’s form has dipped, with 87 runs in nine T20I innings at an average of 12.42 and a strike rate of 112.98 – far from his usual fireworks.
“Yeah, I like the way SKY plays,” Shanaka said. “He hasn’t scored many runs here, but you know, he’s a big match player.” He also nodded to the bowling attack, praising Jasprit Bumrah’s five wickets in four matches at an average of 22, with best figures of 2/18.
Shanaka had kind words for opener Abhishek Sharma too, saying he’s “in his prime form from the IPL.” In the Asia Cup so far, Sharma has smashed 248 runs in five innings at an average of 49.60 and a blistering strike rate of 206.66, including two half-centuries and a high of 75. He’s the top scorer in the tournament and just 34 runs shy of beating Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s all-time T20I Asia Cup record of 281 runs from 2022.
Across all T20s this year, Sharma’s been on fire with 966 runs in 23 innings at an average of 42 and a strike rate above 203, featuring two centuries and five fifties.
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (w), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage, Kamil Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Janith Liyanage.
India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson (w), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma. ()
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