Ravi Shastri Explains Why India Needed 'Sri Lanka Scare' In Asia Cup 2023

The Indian cricket team romped into the final of the Asia Cup 2023 with a 41-run win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Though the victory margin might suggest a big win, Rohit Sharma and Co. were given a mighty scare while defending a low 213-run total. Sri Lanka kept stitching small but crucial stands in between that kept India under pressure. However, Indian bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav gave their all to snatch a memorable win.

Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri praised the win.

"It was a fabulous match and you must give credit to Sri Lanka as well. India were 80/0 and then to keep them to 213 with the spinners taking all the wickets for the first time against India. It was great effort. A young Dunith Wellalage What a performance from him. He took five wickets and then batted the way he did. He is way above his age," Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports

"They needed this kind of a match. You have to fight. You have to do well as a unit. You have to field well. It was a collective performance on the field. This will hold them in good stead in the final."

Kuldeep Yadav starred as India overcame a brilliant all-round effort from Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage to win a tense Asia Cup clash by 41 runs on Tuesday and book a place in the final. Kuldeep took four wickets including the final two as India defended 213, bowling out Sri Lanka for 172 to silence a large home crowd at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium.

India recorded their second straight Super Four win in the 50-over tournament, a prelude to the upcoming ODI World Cup, and ended Sri Lanka's 13-match winning streak in ODIs.

Wellalage, who claimed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul, remained unbeaten on 42 when he ran out of partners as left-arm wrist