Overview:
The Asia Cup match between India and Sri Lanka will start at 8pm IST on September 26 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 sees India and Sri Lanka face each other on Friday, September 26. This is set to be the 6th clash of the Super 4 stage. India have already reached the Asia Cup 2025 final. They will take on Pakistan in the summit clash. Pakistan made it through to the final with a win over Bangladesh. On the other hand, Sri Lanka were ousted from the Asia Cup after India defeated Bangladesh on September 24.
What is the Context of the IND vs SL match?
This will be the first meeting between India and Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup. India made it to the Super 4 after topping Group A. Sri Lanka also qualified after topping Group B.
India are unbeaten in the Asia Cup 2025, winning all three group-stage games before sealing successive wins in the Super 4 against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka were beaten by Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Super 4 stage which hurt their cause. This is now a dead rubber and the Lankans will want to play for pride.
For India, this will be a contest where they would look to continue to tick the boxes. India have been poor on the field and this is an area they will work upon. Once again, it’s the Indian spinners who will aim to stifle the Lankans.
In terms of the H2H record, India and Sri Lanka have played 32 T20Is with the latter winning 9. India have won 21 matches. Meanwhile, one game didn’t have any result with another being a tie, as per ESPNcricinfo.
The Indian cricket team has featured in 13 matches here in Dubai, winning 9 and losing 4 times. Sri Lanka have played 10 games here with six wins and 4 defeats registered.
The Asia Cup match between India and Sri Lanka will start at 8pm IST on September 26 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
India – Probable Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma: The southpaw has been in clutch form in the 2025 Asia Cup. He is the leading scorer with 248 runs at 49.60. His SR reads a commanding 206.66. He has hit 2 fifties.
Shubman Gill: After a decent start, he fell early in his next two games. Gill then fired a 47-run knock versus Pakistan in the Super 4 clash. He got a start in the previous game against Bangladesh and shared a solid opening stand.
Suryakumar Yadav (c): The Indian skipper has not quite hit the right chords with his batting in the Asia Cup 2025. Barring a pivotal knock against Pakistan in the group stage, Suryakumar has gone dry.
Tilak Varma: The southpaw will come in at number 4. He has done a reasonable job, scoring 95 runs from 4 innings (5 matches) in the Asia Cup 2025.
Shivam Dube: The southpaw is yet to fire with the bat and owns 17 runs from 3 innings. This clash will be crucial for Dube, who can be decent with the ball.
Sanju Samson: After not getting a chance to bat versus UAE and Pakistan, Samson was handed a chance against Oman and he hit his 49th T20 fifty. Thereafter, he fell for 13 in India’s Super 4 match versus Pakistan. He did not bat vs Bangladesh.
Hardik Pandya: A fierce player, Pandya is a key all-round star. India will field Pandya as the 3rd pace option. With 97 wickets, he is three shy of becoming the joint-highest wicket-taker for India.
Axar Patel: He remains a key figure in the all-round department for Team India with his left-arm spin and ability to bat as a floater.
Kuldeep Yadav: He has been at his best in this tournament. Against UAE, he took 4/7. He managed a three-fer next against Pakistan before taking one wicket against Oman and one more against Pakistan in Super 4. Versus Bangladesh, he shone once again.
Jasprit Bumrah: The speedster will lead this Indian bowling attack. He has 94 T20I wickets under his belt from 74 matches. After being rested against Oman, Bumrah was off colour against Pakistan and went wicketless. He bounced back against Bangladesh.
Varun Chakravarthy: He is a champion T20 specialist. The right-arm spinner has bagged 37 scalps from 22 matches. His presence lifts this Indian side.
Player to watch out for (Abhishek Sharma): The swashbuckling opener will aim to be aggressive from the start. He will fancy facing Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera and look to dominate.
Sri Lanka – Probable Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka: The classy all-format batter has been impressive of late and did well in the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. He has also impressed in the Asia Cup 2025. He owns 154 runs from 5 matches.
Kusal Mendis: The veteran batter was out for three runs versus Bangladesh and then suffered another failure versus Hong Kong. However, he scored 74* vs Afghanistan and 34 vs Bangladesh thereafter to pick form. In 5 matches, he has 122 runs.
Kusal Perera: He is Sri Lanka’s top scorer in T20Is and has plenty of pedigree. He will hope to make things count.
Charith Asalanka (c): The skipper is a massive figure in the Lankan set-up and leads from the front. He will once again hope to stamp his authority.
Kamindu Mendis: At number six, the player lends his voice. He can bowl part-time spin as well. In 32 matches, he has 525 runs for SL.
Dasun Shanaka: The senior figure is a key all-rounder of this side. He smashed a solid fifty versus Bangladesh in the Super 4, showing his batting credentials and then picked wickets as well. He faltered against Pakistan next.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Having returned from injury, Hasaranga has done well with the ball for his side. He remains a vital cog.
Maheesh Theekshana: The spinner is set to keep his place in the XI. He will hope to support Hasaranga and aim to choke Pakistan. With 65 wickets from 68 matches, Theekshana is a fine bet.
Chamika Karunaratne: He came in for Kamil Mishara in the clash versus PAK and scored 17 off 21 balls. He then bowled 1 over and conceded 11 runs.
Dushmantha Chameera: He bowled well in the Zimbabwe T20Is. He clocked 8 wickets from three matches. He brought that form into the Asia Cup and has fared well.
Nuwan Thushara: He has picked 6 wickets in the Asia Cup which includes a 4-fer. He would want to step up against India.
Player to watch out for (Pathum Nissanka): With consistent knocks, Nissanka will be crucial for the Lankans with his contributions upfront. He can set the stage for the others to come and contribute.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The matches here at the Asia Cup have witnessed teams go heavy with their spin artillery. The surface is expected to have a bit more assistance for spinners. Pacers will find joy early on with some movement on offer. Notably, spinners could purchase turns while bowling in the right areas. For batters, they will have to rotate the strike and handle spinners well in the middle overs.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
Both teams have a solid bowling unit with a desired balance on offer. However, it’s the batting which makes India have the upper hand. They have a solid unit who can outshine the Lankans.
FAQs About IND vs SL Playing 11
Who are the key players in the IND vs SL clash?
Abhishek Sharma will aim to be aggressive from the start. He owns a strike rate worth 200-plus in the ongoing Asia Cup. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka will be key upfront with the bat.