sports desk/

Sri Lanka would have been eliminated in the group stage if it had been a little bit here and there. It was they who led the way home for Asia Cup top favorites and most title winners India. In the second match of the Super Four, Rohit Sharma’s team lost to Sri Lanka by 6 wickets with one ball to spare. It’s almost time to say goodbye. On the other hand, Sri Lanka has taken a step closer to the finals.

India lost the first match against Pakistan in the Super Four. Despite the loss against Sri Lanka in the second match, India still have a glimmer of hope of reaching the final as per the equation.

For that, Rohit Sharma needs to win the last match against Afghanistan. On the other hand, Afghans have to win against Pakistan. Not only that, Sri Lanka’s Babar Azam, who has won the opening two matches, will also have to win.

In that case the Lankans will have three wins. If the other three teams win one each, one team will go to the finals based on the net run rate.

India scored 173 for 9 after losing the toss and batting at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. After opener Rahul (6) and Virat Kohli (0) failed for three, the other opener Rohit Sharma played a brilliant innings of 72 runs from 41 balls. The right-handed opener hit five fours with four sixes.

Suryakumar Yadav, who dropped for four, made a partnership of 97 runs with him. Suryakumar scored 34 runs off 29 balls. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant added 17 runs from 13 balls but returned to Sajghar after giving good hope with the bat. In the end, Ravishchandan Ashwin scored 15 runs with a six off 7 balls.

In response, Sri Lanka got off to a great start in the opening pair. He scored 97 runs in 11.1 overs. India returned to the match later. Picked up 4 wickets for 110 runs. Opener Pathun Nishanka scored 52 runs off 37 balls with two sixes and four fours. Another opener Kushal Mendis added 53 runs off 37 balls with three sixes and four fours.

Sri Lanka had little apprehension about winning. Captain Dashun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa allayed that fear by playing brilliantly. Shanaka scored 33 runs off 18 balls with four fours and a six. Rajapakse played an unbeaten 25-run innings in 17 balls with two sixes.

Young left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushka picked up 3 wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs for Sri Lanka. Besides, Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka took two wickets each. Yuzvendra Chahal returned to the match with 3 wickets for 34 runs in 4 overs for India.