India Overcome Nissanka Ton And Super Over Drama To Edge Out Sri Lanka

Defending champions India weathered Pathum Nissanka’s blazing century and some nerve-wracking Super Over drama to edge past Sri Lanka in a dead rubber on Friday, extending their unbeaten streak in the Asia Cup.

With India already assured of a place in Sunday’s final against Pakistan and Sri Lanka eliminated, the Super Fours clash seemed academic — yet it produced the most thrilling contest of the tournament.

Sri Lanka matched India’s 202-5 to force a Super Over after Nissanka (107) became the first player to hit a century in this year’s event. But they managed only two runs before losing both wickets in five deliveries to Arshdeep Singh. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav calmly sealed victory by collecting three runs off Wanindu Hasaranga’s first ball.

Earlier, put into bat, India posted the tournament’s first 200-plus total, driven by opener Abhishek Sharma’s third straight fifty. The top-ranked T20 batter continued his red-hot form with a blistering 61 off 31 balls.

Though Shubman Gill fell cheaply for four and skipper Suryakumar’s lean patch persisted with 12, Abhishek raced to a 22-ball fifty to keep the runs flowing. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka dismissed him, but Tilak Varma (49*), and Sanju Samson (39) maintained the momentum.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis for a duck in the opening over but surged to 72-1 in the powerplay. With pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah rested and Hardik Pandya bowling just one over before leaving the field, the Lankan batters capitalized.

Nissanka reached his fifty in 25 balls while Kusal Perera (58) also brought up a half-century, the duo adding 127 runs for the second wicket. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy finally broke the stand by removing Perera.

Nissanka powered his way to a 52-ball ton but fell on the first delivery of the final over. Sri Lanka still ended on 202-5, matching India’s score and forcing the Super Over — where India held their nerve to prevail.