Asia Cup Final, IND vs SL: How India have fared against Sri Lanka in major tournament finals
Today On September 17, Sunday, India will play Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo, hoping to snap their five-year drought for a major championship. In the senior men's cricket tournament, India's latest big victory occurred in the Asia Cup of 2018, when the team captained by Rohit Sharma triumphed over Bangladesh in the Dubai final.
Over the years, India and Sri Lanka have dominated the Asia Cup. With seven titles, India has won more than any other team in the Asia Cup; Sri Lanka is only one title behind them.
Given the form that Babar Azam's team had going into the final, many had anticipated a final between India and Pakistan, the bitter rivals. But after losing to Sri Lanka and India in the Super 4, Pakistan was eliminated from the competition.
In the 39-year history of the Asia Cup, India and Sri Lanka have faced off seven times in the title match, whereas India and Pakistan have never faced off in the tournament's final. India has won four of their seven head-to-head encounters in the championship, giving them a razor-thin edge.
India and Sri Lanka have a history of qualifying for big tournament finals. Sri Lanka, the 1996 World Cup winners, has consistently shown that they can outperform their opponents and win the big competitions. Really, Dasun Shanaka's team emerged victorious from last year's Asia Cup Twenty20 in the United Arab Emirates.
INDIA VS SRI LANKA IN MAJOR FINALS
11 matches: India won - 5, Sri Lanka won - 4, No Result 2
INDIA VS SRI LANKA IN ASIA CUP FINALS
7 matches - India won - 4, Sri Lanka won - 3
When the World Cup was held in the sub-continent the last time, India and Sri Lanka met in the final and MS Dhoni's men scripted a historic victory at the Wankhede Stadium.
Cut to 2014, Sri Lanka avenged their defeat to India by winning the T20 World Cup final in Mirpur as Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene signed off with farewell finishes from the format.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THEIR LAST ASIA CUP FINAL?
India and Sri Lanka last met in an Asia Cup final in 2010.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 81 runs in Dambulla. India rode on a sensational 66 from Dinesh Karthik at the top of the order to post 268 on the board.
In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 187 in just 44.4 overs. Ashish Nehra was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 4 wickets while Zaheer Khan and Ravindra Jadeja picked up 2 wickets each.
Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the only 3 players from the 2010 final who will feature in 2023.
INDIA VS SRI LANKA - RESULTS IN MAJOR FINALS
Asia Cup
1988- India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in Dhaka
1991 - India beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in Kolkata
1995 - India beat Sri Lanka by 49 runs in Sharjah
1997 - Sri Lanka beat India by 8 wickets in Colombo
2004 - Sri Lanka beat India by 25 runs in Colombo
2008 - Sri Lanka beat India by 100 runs in Karachi
2010 - India beat Sri Lanka by 81 runs in Dambulla
World Cups and Champions Trophy
2002 - No result in ICC Champions Trophy final
Rain affected the 2002 Champions Trophy final which was played on September 29, 2002. A fresh match was replayed on September 30 and it was also washed out due to rain in Colombo.
Sri Lanka made 244 on September 29 and India were 14 for 0 when rain played spoilsport. On the following day, Sri Lanka made 222 for 7 and India were 38 for 1 when rain arrived and led to no result.
2011 - India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in World Cup Final
2014 - Sri Lanka beat India by 6 wickets in T20 World Cup Final