Captain Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 98 guides Men in Blue past hosts in rain-interrupted clash; bowlers shine in tense decider at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium
Published on: September 27, 2025
By: BTNI
In a nail-biting finale that captivated cricket fans across the subcontinent, India clinched a heart-stopping victory over hosts Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 via a Super Over, propelling the defending champions into the semi-finals and keeping their unbeaten streak alive. The match, reduced to 35 overs per side due to persistent rain in Colombo, saw India post a formidable 245/4, powered by skipper Rohit Sharma’s masterful unbeaten 98 off 72 balls—laced with 10 fours and five sixes—that dismantled Sri Lanka’s bowling attack on a batting paradise pitch.
Chasing 246, the Lankans fell agonizingly short at 245/6 in a rollercoaster run-chase led by Pathum Nissanka’s gritty 82 and Charith Asalanka’s explosive 67, only for pacer Mohammed Siraj to defend 12 runs in the Super Over with a miserly 5-run haul, including two crucial dot balls. The drama peaked in the final over of regulation play, where Sri Lanka needed 14 off the last ball; Dasun Shanaka’s heave landed safely but couldn’t clear the ropes, forcing the tiebreaker.
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India’s fielding, marred by early dropped catches, redeemed itself with Kuldeep Yadav’s stunning one-handed stunner at deep midwicket. Post-match, Rohit dedicated the win to the “resilient Indian fanbase,” crediting the team’s depth amid injuries to key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from a hamstring tweak. For Sri Lanka, the loss compounds a dismal tournament, with captain Wanindu Hasaranga lamenting “fielding lapses” that cost them dearly.
Off the field, the match highlighted growing Indo-Sri Lankan bonhomie, with BCCI gifting signed jerseys to the hosts. As India eyes a potential final clash with Pakistan, this victory—India’s eighth in 10 Asia Cup editions—bolsters their World Cup preparations, blending flair, fightback, and finesse in equal measure. Fans flooded social media with memes of Rohit’s “Hitman” avatar, turning the Super Over into an instant classic.
