Sri Lanka's tough challenge against India's batting prowess   

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Virat Kohli has odds of 3.53 to be the best batsman for India.   
• Pathum Nissanka leads with odds of 4.18 to be Sri Lanka's best batsman
• Mohammad Siraj has odds of 3.87 to be India's best bowler  
• Matheesha Pathirana has odds of 3.93 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka.  

MATCH PREVIEW  

We have seen competitive games in the Asia Cup 2023, and the grand finale would see the seven-time champions India take on five-time champions Sri Lanka. The two teams enter the final with contrasting results. While Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a nail-biting game, Indians went down against Bangladesh in their last game, which went down the wire. The Indians have been the best team in this tournament, and their batsmen have been in excellent form. Bettors will have their hands glued to the betting apps, as we expect a close contest. Both teams will press hard for a win as this will boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.  

India Preview   

The Indian team went down by 6 runs against Bangladesh in their last Super Four game. Having already qualified for the final, the Indians rested some of their key players in the last game and failed to grab the opportunities that came their way. As the full-strength XI takes to the field for the final, Rohit Sharma and his men would look to put this loss behind them and put up a good show.  

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have done well at the top, and the pair will look to deliver a good start in this game. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have been in phenomenal form, and they will look to add quick runs along with Ishan Kishan. The lower middle order is strong for the side, and they will look for runs from Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur.   

The Indian bowling attack has done well in the last few games, and the side will expect early strikes from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. Kuldeep Yadav has been in phenomenal form in this tournament, and he must do well with Pandya in the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Thakur complete a strong bowling attack for the side.  

Expected Starting XI for India  

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammad Shami, Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav 

Sri Lanka Preview  

Dasun Shanaka's side won a thriller against Pakistan in their last Super Four game. The side won by 2 wickets under the DLS method off the last ball of the innings. The youngsters in the side have done well in this tournament. However, the side faces an acid test against them, and the betting odds are against them. They have defeated Indians only once in the last 10 games, and Shanaka will need a determined effort from his players.  

Pathum Nissanka is the key player for the side and must deliver a good start with Kusal Perera. Kusal Mendis is the second-highest run-scorer with 253 runs and must build partnerships with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka, as they did well in the last game. The Lankans have a powerful lower middle order and will look for runs from Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dunith Wellalage.  

It will be a big test for the Lankan bowlers against the powerful Indian batting line-up. Kasun Rajitha and Maheesh Theekshana must bowl good spells with the new ball, as Indian openers have done well. Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka bowled brilliantly the last time they played against India and must do well. Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Matheesha Pathirana must deliver the goods in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka  

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana 

TOSS: To Bat First   

We have seen a good batting surface at Colombo. The wicket is good to bat on at the start of the game. It gets tough in the second innings when the spinners can turn the ball sharply. It's a high-pressure contest, and both teams would prefer to play it safe by batting first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS   

The weather predictions don't sound encouraging, as we shall see cloudy skies over Colombo. As we have seen in several games of this Asia Cup, there are chances of rain during the games. The wicket is good to bat on, and the side batting first will need more than 350 runs to feel safe on this wicket.  
 

OUR PREDICTION   

Sri Lanka has the home advantage, and their spinners troubled the Indians in the last game. However, the side has struggled against Indians in the last decade and has hardly won anything against them. The Indian top order has been brilliant in the tournament, and they have a strong bowling attack. Based on current form and record, the Indians start ahead according to cricket betting sites.  
 
Our Prediction is for India to win.