Asia Cup 2025: India face Sri Lanka today, possible changes in playing XI

Before facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, Team India will take on Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 match on Friday in Dubai. With Sri Lanka already out of the tournament, this match serves as a final dress rehearsal for India.

Dubai: The Indian team will play its 12th Asia Cup final on Sunday against Pakistan, and before that, team will face Sri Lanka in the final match of the Super 4 stage on Friday. Sri Lanka has already been eliminated from the final race, and this match is merely a formality or we cam say that this match is only practice match for India.

May Changes In Playing 11

The team India will now have to abandon its strategy of experimentation and focus on a stable combination. Several changes were made in the previous match against Oman, resulting in India winning despite losing. Captain Suryakumar Yadav did not bat in that match.

Similarly, the team experimented with different combinations against Bangladesh. Shivam Dubey was sent in at number three, but he was dismissed after scoring just two runs off three balls. Star batsman Sanju Samson, meanwhile, did not get a chance. Now, instead of experimenting, India will have to field a strong combination.

India strives for absolute domination as Sri Lanka looks to salvage some pride ⚔️🤩

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Final Between India vs Pakistan

The final match between India and Pakistan is highly likely to be played on Sunday. Samson does not fit into the Indian batting order. Another cause of concern for the Indian team is the 12 dropped catches so far in the tournament, five of which came against Bangladesh. Such lapses are not tolerated in big matches, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy admitted that improvement is needed in this area. Chakravarthy's bowling has also led to several dropped catches.

May Get A Chance At Number Three

Fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that Sanju is still learning how to bat at number five. There's also a possibility that Samson could be sent in at number three in the official match against Sri Lanka. It's understood that Samson isn't being ruled out given his past record as a top-order batsman, but every player has a role to play in this format.

India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup Head-to-Head

• Total Matches: 23
• India Won: 12
• Sri Lanka Won: 11

Indian Team

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Sri Lanka Team

Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Welalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Mathisha Pathirana.