IND vs SL Live Cricket Score, Asia Cup 2023 Final: Ishan-Gill Finish It Off, Clinical India Lift 8th Title

Courtesy of a brilliant opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, India claim the Asia Cup title as they beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets and 43.5 overs to spare. 

This is getting from worst to absolutely horrible for Sri Lanka. India are just a few boundaries away to clinch Asia Cup title.

India collect 7 runs off the first over. The pair of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have opened the batting. It will be interesting to see how many overs India take to finish the game. 

"Feels like a dream. Last time I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, couldn't get the five-for. Realised you get what's in your destiny. Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive," Siraj said at the mid-innings break.

Sri Lanka registers their lowest total in ODIs against India. They are bundled out for 50 in 15.2 overs. Siraj picks up 6 wickets, Hardik picks up 3 whereas Bumrah got one.

Hardik Pandya has been brought back into the attack after Siraj's carnage. This innings is well beyond repair now as Sri Lanka are 8 down now. Wellalage is the latest to depart.

Wicket! Siraj gets the last hope of Sri Lanka's batting lineup. He departs for 17 as Siraj takes his sixth wicket.

Wicket! There's the five-wicket haul for this special fast bowler. Unbelievable stuff here. 15 balls to take five wickets in a match. Shanaka departs for a duck as Sri Lanka go six down.

Wicket! This is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. He has ripped through this batting lineup apart. Fourth wicket of the over. Players started celebrating and the batter didn't waste time in walking off. Siraj has done something special here. De Silva departs for 4

Wicket! Oh no! What is happening here? Third wicket of the over. Siraj is on fire at the moment. Sri Lanka lose the fourth wicket as Asalanka departs for 0.

Wicket! What a start this has been for India. It's raining wickets here for the Men in Blue. Siraj takes second of the over. Sri Lanka are in massive trouble as Samarawickrama departs for 0.

Wicket! Stunning catch by Jadeja at point. He is a gun fielder at that position. Siraj gets his first of the match as Sri Lanka los their second wicket. Nissanka departs for 2.

Wicket! There's the early breakthrough for the Men in Blue. Kusal was always chasing that one and edged on to the keeper. KL did well to reach and hold onto that one. First wicket goes down. Perera departs for 0.

The rain seems to have stopped for now. Pitch inspection scheduled for 3:30 PM, play likely to start by 3:45 PM.

"We were a bit worried about the weather, but we've got decent cricket throughout the tournament. Hopefully, we can get over the line today. Sometimes, you won't be at your best but to scrap out a win. Some of the catching and fielding in the earlier game against Sri Lanka was really impressive. We need to play good, smart cricket. They are a good team playing in home conditions, we need to execute our skills and scrap out a win. (On Injuries) All teams are in a similar position, injuries so close to the WC could really cost you. We just need to keep our fingers crossed, trust our processes. We are in a tricky situation where some guys need to be rested, while some guys need some cricket. It is a tricky balance to achieve."

Just before the start of the action, Rain has ruined the excitement of the high-voltage clash for now. Covers are on the ground for now.

"Would have batted first too, looks like a dry pitch. We are confident of chasing down whatever Sri Lanka put on the board. This is a good chance to go aggressive with the ball and see what the surface has to offer. We came really close last game, anything about 240 on this surface is good. Our job today is to do well with the ball, and then see what we can do with the bat. The crowd have been brilliant, good support for both teams but probably a bit more for Sri Lanka. Hopefully, they get to witness a good final. Everyone's back after the rest in the last game, Axar is injured so Washington Sundar comes in for him."

"We'll bat first. Seems like a good wicket, there will be some turn in the afternoon. Last year, we weren't able to get these crowds but this time we are really fortunate. I'm very pleased with the youngsters - Wellalage, Pathirana, Samarawickrama. It is a good team and the results are there, this is a good boost for the WC. One change for us - Theekshana out, Dushan Hemantha in."

"Fresh pitch for the final. Colombo pitches have generally been useful for the spinners. We are right next to the pitch used for the earlier India Sri Lanka game. It is a dry surface, 70m boundaries all directions. As a captain, it'll be better to be batting first and then hope for some turn at night."

Both teams made a forced change in their playing 11. All the players rested in the match against Bangladesh, make their way back in the Indian team. Washington Sundar was roped in the team straight away as the third spinner.

For Sri Lanka, Dushan Hemantha is included in the team to replace injured Maheesh Theekshana.

Dasun Shanaka has won the toss and Sri Lanka will be batting first against India in the final of the Asia Cup 2023.

Players are warming up at the moment as the toss will take place in a few minutes. 

All eyes on the prize

Grand finale time #TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/8BzKFlOWwY, — BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2023

“In the India game, you saw how we fought after the first 10 overs with the bowling. They [fans] like to see these kids Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, and the young batsmen like Charith Asalanka, and Pathum Nissanka how they chip in this game. Not to forget Sadeera Samarawickrama as well," Dasun Shanaka said.

“Of course, we are ready [for the Asia Cup 2023 final]. See, it totally depends on the pitch. The pitches have been playing a part in this tournament. According to the pitch stats, we are picking a good side, especially bowling against India, we need to take more wickets upfront. That opens the game for us. That's a key area in the game," he added.

"[Shubman] Gill's hundred was brilliant. He backs his game, he knows exactly how he wants to play. Pretty clear on what he wants to do for the team. Look at his form over the last year. Pretty solid against the new ball. Works really hard; there's no optional practice for Gill," - Rohit Sharma, Indian captain after the loss against Bangladesh.

"Tickets for the finals of the Asia Cup 2023 have been sold out. Hence, the public is advised not to arrive at ticket counters or the ground to purchase tickets to watch the epic final between Sri Lanka and India. The ones who have purchased tickets to watch the final are advised to arrive early in order to avoid congestion. The gates at RPICS, Colombo, will be opened at 12 p.m. today for the public with tickets to enter the ground," wrote Sri Lanka Cricket on X.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Group Stage match) Sri Lanka won by 5 runs

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Group Stage match) Sri Lanka won by 2 runs

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Super Four match) Sri Lanka won by 21 runs

Sri Lanka vs India (Super Four match) Sri Lanka lost by 41 runs

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (Super Four match) Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets

India vs Pakistan (Group stage match): Abandoned due to rain

India vs Nepal (Group stage match): India won by 10 wickets

India vs Pakistan (Super Four match): India won by 228 runs

India vs Sri Lanka (Super Four match): India won by 41 runs

India vs Bangladesh (Super Four match): India lost by 6 runs

Having won all of their matches in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 apart from the Pakistan draw and Bangladesh defeat, India became the first team to make it to the final as they aim to lift their record eighth title. 

The most successful team of the Asia Cup is India with a win of seven Asia Cup titles in 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016, and 2018.

The Asia Cup 2023 Finals are here!

Get ready for a historic clash as Sri Lanka and India face off in a battle for glory!

Who's in your playing XI for both teams? Share your predictions! #AsiaCup2023 #SLvIND #LankanLions pic.twitter.com/acvnu5BkRj, — Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) September 17, 2023

Axar Patel who suffered a left quadriceps strain during the India vs Bangladesh has been ruled out of the final against Sri Lanka. Washington Sundar replaced him in India's squad.

Maheesh Theekshana suffered a hamstring issue in Sri Lanka's last match against Pakistan and was ruled out of the final. Sahan Arachchige was added into the squad as a replacement.

The Asia Cup 2023 final between India and Sri Lanka will mark Rohit Sharma's 250th ODI match.,

Rohit Sharma's 250th ODI match tommorow:

Matches - 249.
Runs - 10,031.
Average - 48.69.
Strike Rate - 90.26.
Centuries - 30.
Fifties - 51.
Double Centuries - 3.
Sixes - 286.

- The Hitman, an all time great in white ball cricket....!!! pic.twitter.com/ZHk0qHenDq, — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 16, 2023

Hello and welcome to our live blog of the India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 final from R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India will be aiming for their record eighth title while Sri Lanka will try to match India's tally by lifting the title for the seventh time. Stay tuned for all the live and latest updates of the match.