India and Sri Lanka met on 26 September 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for their match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 – a game that wasn’t completed, but which will not be forgotten as one of the most thrilling contests of this event.
India are in final already As for Sri Lanka, it is more or less over for them as they had lost to Bangladesh in the Super Four.
Though the stakes were low, there was some catharsis of its sorts: Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored a scintillating century to guide his team to reach India’s target. The score was tied after 20 overs, and the game was sent into a Super Over — where the cool under pressure bowling of Arshdeep Singh saw India to victory.
This match, however meaningless in terms of the tournament progression, became drama-in-miniature — proof that cricket knows no such thing as a “dead rubber.”
Pre-Match Setup & Tactical Scenarios
Tournament Standings & Stakes
When this match started, India had already qualified for the 2025 Asia Cup final and beat unbeaten in one other game to enhance their claims of consistency. Sri Lanka had, meanwhile, been eliminated at the Super Fours. In contrast, Sri Lanka were eliminated in the Super Four.
So, in India’s heavily militarised backdrop, Sri Lanka played with carefreeness – without fear and only a will to restore some pride while also challenging Indian domination. On occasion, when the shackles are off, this sort of “nothing to lose” outlook can translate into fearless entertaining cricket.
Pitch, Conditions & Toss
The Dubai pitch had been playing well all tournament — batting was good, pace bowlers were getting early assistance at times and spinners would soon have to start working the ball as it got worn.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to field first, allowing India to bat. India’s formers still applied, but there was more rest and rotation here as they secured the last spot.
India’s playing XI comprised the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana Kuldeep Yadav Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarty. There were some changes in the squad of Sri Lanka as well with Chamika and others.
Here was how the scene had been laid: India batting first, Sri Lanka chasing, and even though it was a “dead rubber,” at stake was an evident incentive for both teams.
The Match: India’s Innings First
Early Overs & Powerplay
India began their innings with a bang. It was Abhishek Sharma, who has been consistent in the tournament, took control early. In the wake of Sri Lanka opting to field, India wanted to post a big score.
India began brightly in the powerplay overs, both turning the screw astutely and making hay off wayward deliveries. Abhishek Sharma, in particular, appeared to have hit his stride soon. But Shubman Gill fell cheaply reducing a bit pressure on India’s to p order.
Middle Overs & Consolidation
Sri Lanka attempted to make a fight off it after the powerplay was on. Their spinners and change bowlers used to make quick runs difficult, pick lines, bring out dot balls at will and apply pressure on the Indian batsmen. India replied with some smart pairings, a blend of sensible running and boundary hitting.
Sanju Samson played a handy innings (39) and Tilak Verma showed some patience by pushing during the middle overs. These partnerships were vital: India did not buckle under pressure and gained momentum in the closing overs.
Late Spike & Final Overs
India were scoring runs fast in the death overs. They continued on to the 200-run mark, a psychological barrier in T20s. As per the match report India were the first team in T20 World Cup history to go past 200 runs, while also becoming the highest score makers by smashing a total of 202/5 in their 20 overs.
Abhishek Sharma’s 31-ball 61 was the highlight of this collection. Tilak Verma was left unbeaten on 49 to avert the final collapse.
A few key names in India’s bowling stocks were rested — among them, Jasprit Bumrah was rested, and Hardik Pandya barely bowled due to fitness.
And India did set a stirring target thanks to some fine bowling from the top and next few, and a brave last punch.
Sri Lanka’s Chase
Early Loss & Steady Recovery
Sri Lanka’s chase had ignominious beginnings as well. They began with a wobble, losing Kusal Mendis for a duck that would have stalled many an innings. What followed, however, was one of the tournament’s more stunning combines: Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera blasting Sri Lanka back into contention with a mammoth 127-run partnership for the second wicket (off just 70 balls).
Nissanka, in particular, was in sublime touch. He paced his innings well, timed the ball brilliantly and placed it astutely. He got to fifty, and then he ticked the scoreboard along even in times of pressure.
Once Perera (w Varun Chakravarthy) fell, Sri Lanka harboured some hope with Nissanka going after the bowlers. He reached his hundred off 52 balls, the first hundred of the 2025 Asia Cup.
Final Overs & Tie
Sri Lanka were behind in their chase as they entered the death overs. Nissanka’s aggressive strokeplay together with their calm in the face of pressure kept them alive.
He was dismissed on the first ball of the final over — at which point Sri Lanka had reached 202/5, the same number of runs that India made. The scores were tied and the match went into a Super Over. The manner in which the innings clawed its way back from a poor start into full-blooded chase is testament to Sri Lanka’s resolve and Nissanka’s skill.
The Super Over & Decider
For cricketers, who found themselves on the field in an unwanted game of Super Over — a T20 match’s nail-biting trial by eliminator — it was crunch time once again.
Sri Lanka opted to bat in the opening Super Over. But Arshdeep Singh saw his chance and bowled a stunning over: 2 runs conceded, 2 wickets in the space of 5 balls. His composure, his efficiency even when under the pump and above all that steely resolve to deliver when it mattered most tilted the game in favour of India.
When India went in for pursuit (it was an extremely low score), wickets started falling, and they just needed 3 runs. The bowler was Wanindu Hasaranga, of the opposite team. India captain Suryakumar Yadav closed with a flourish — crossing the ropes off the very first ball to seal a last-gap win.
So in a match that was give and take the Super Over played the role of final arbiter. And it was India that tilted the scale.
Players & Performance
India
Abhishek Sharma: One of the highest run-scorer with the bat. His 61 off 31 balls was instrumental in India getting past the 200-run mark though. His first-drive success set the tone for everything else.
Tilak Varma: While keeping one end solid in the final overs his unbeaten 49 was crucial to hold on one end after loosing wickets.
Sanju Samson: Handy support in the middle – scored 39 runs to help India with the impetus.
Arshdeep Singh: Hero of the day. In the Super Over he bowled like you need a man to bowl under pressure — 2 for 2.
Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka: Outstanding. His first hundred of the tournament (107) came close to taking Sri Lanka over the line. His pressure innings was pure T20 cricket.
- Kusal Perera: His role in the half-century and the partnership with Nissanka was vital for SL to stay in the match.
Historical & Rivalry Context
Games between India vs Sri Lanka are emotional for sure. Sri Lanka – The island nation, has been a surprise package in the Asia Cup format over the years. In head-to-head, India had won 21 out of their previous 31 T20 matches against Sri Lanka and lost 9 with one drawn.
Talking about the Asia Cup, Pakistan has emerged victorious while they have also inflicted defeats on India in key matches in the previous editions of the tournament. Hence a contest between both teams would be rich in terms of viewer audience. The uncertainty variable is often to the benefit of teams who play autonomously. And this was no different when this 2025 fixture rolled around.
In this series, India’s sporadic run and Sri Lanka’s lack of stability have made sure that this battle could be the final straw for SL, while also a showpiece on India’s bench-depth.
Aftermath, Reactions & Takeaways
Reactions
- The Indian team and the fans not only celebrated the victory, but also rejoiced at how it had been achieved — through patience, composure and determination.
- Sri Lanka were eliminated, but not before earning admiration for taking India to the wire. Nissanka’s hundred was in particular hailed.
- The media called this one of the greatest dead-rubber matches — a good test of its own to whether beauty in cricket, too, lies not always in what it is played for but how it is played.
Tournament Implications
Though inconsequential in terms of the final, it extended India’s unbeaten run it the 2025 Asia Cup and their warm-up for the final. It was again India’s bench strength and its capacity to come good when the chips were down.
For Sri Lanka, the game was a bittersweet: some standout individual performances, but not at all enough. It might have prompted a pause for thought on consistency, middle-order dependability and winning the hard games.
