India, despite their formidable performance in bilateral contests, has struggled in recent years when it comes to winning in the final stages of ICC tournaments. Their last major event win was the 2013 Champions Trophy. Now, as they gear up for the 2023 ODI World Cup, India sees the Asia Cup final as a crucial opportunity to regain their confidence in big matches.
India faces Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Colombo, and a victory would provide a significant boost ahead of the World Cup, which is only three weeks away. Despite the competition’s flaws, including arbitrary reserve days and interruptions due to rain, the Asia Cup final remains a multi-nation tournament final, offering the chance to build a winning mindset on the big stage.
India’s struggle in knockout games has raised questions about whether a fear of failure has affected their mindset in these crucial matches. Winning the Asia Cup final would provide much-needed confidence and help remove any lingering doubts before the World Cup campaign begins.
While India appears stronger on paper than Sri Lanka, the outcome will depend on the nature of the pitch. If the surface favors batsmen, India’s superior batting lineup could give them an edge. However, if the pitch is slow, as seen in India’s recent matches, Sri Lanka’s strong bowling department may come into play.
India recognizes the need to improve their batting performance on slow pitches, as they aim to minimize dot balls and rotate the strike effectively. As they look forward to the World Cup, adapting to different pitch conditions will be crucial.
In addition to the on-field challenges, India faces concerns over player injuries. Spinner Axar Patel suffered swelling on his forearm after being struck during a recent match, and all-rounder Washington Sundar has joined the team as cover.
With the Asia Cup final offering a valuable opportunity for India to build confidence and overcome their final-stage jinx, all eyes will be on their performance in this crucial match.
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