ASIA CUP 2025
India has dropped 12 catches in the tournament, eight of which occurred in the last two matches © Getty
This match could have simply been an email. With India already qualified and Sri Lanka eliminated, there’s little at stake in this Asia Cup clash. While a T20 World Cup looms, the conditions will differ significantly from those in Dubai, yet both teams will seek to make the most of this opportunity.
India has been focusing on adapting to chaos during this Asia Cup, experimenting with batting orders and utilizing bowlers in different roles. However, their fielding has notably suffered as a result. Poor catching has become a concern, with 12 dropped catches this tournament, eight of which were in the last two matches alone—an area needing urgent improvement.
Abhishek Sharma has been delivering solid performances for India, providing them good starts. He’ll be a key player to watch, while Sri Lanka aims to see how India navigates if they lose early wickets.
For Sri Lanka, this tournament has been disappointing. They entered the UAE as favorites but struggled to post competitive totals against Bangladesh and Pakistan, hindering their comeback attempts in challenging conditions.
This game presents Sri Lanka with a chance to refine their team strategy before the T20 World Cup, albeit in what feels like a dead rubber. While they continue to refine their lineup and strategies, the urgency to ensure consistent scoring and effective utilization of their bowlers is clear.
When: September 26, 2025, 6:30 PM LOCAL / 8:00 PM IST
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
What to expect: Both teams will face familiar slow and low conditions, with the new ball favoring shot-making early on. However, after 10 overs, scoring may become more challenging, leading to high-risk batting and wicket-taking chances.
