Extensive fitness tests were conducted two weeks ago
in Bengaluru on India’s Asia Cup-bound team to assess their degree of readiness
for the next three-month cricket season.
Those levels of fitness will be put to the test on
Tuesday when India returns to the R Premadasa Stadium after defeating Pakistan
in a match that was split into two days due to rain. A victory will advance
them to Sunday’s championship game. When they won, they did so by a margin of
victory of 228 runs, which sent their net run rate into orbit.
India had a lot of questions to settle before the
competition.
If necessary, can Ishan Kishan bat in the middle of
the order? He responded forcefully, opening the tournament at Pallekele with an
82-ball 81 against Pakistan.
Jasprit Bumrah certainly got off to a good start
against Ireland, but can he go beast mode against strong batting lineups? He
responded to that on Monday by eliminating Imam-ul-Haq in a ferocious opening
period that prepared India’s outstanding defence.
KL Rahul’s readiness for a game? It wasn’t until a few
days before the match against Pakistan that he started keeping wickets. And
after being out of commission since early May, can he endure the hardships in
such trying circumstances whenever he returns?
Rahul celebrated his comeback with a spectacular
run-per-ball century (he finished with 111 not out in 106 balls) and added 223
runs to the total in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Virat Kohli.
India could wish to attempt to respond to a few more
queries on Tuesday. Give Suryakumar Yadav some action, please. Iyer is healthy
enough to rejoin the team. Can India consider taking a break from one or more
of their starting fast bowlers in order to allow Mohammed Shami and Prasidh
Krishna a chance to play?
After their spirited victory over Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka had a few days off to rest and recover. Sadeera Samarawickrama, who
displayed maturity in a crucial knock, was a gem they were able to uncork.
Although the bowlers didn’t exactly put up a perfect
show against Bangladesh, they did stand their ground under pressure at various
points to save the team. When Sri Lanka plays a strong batting lineup on
Tuesday, it will provide them with more information about where they stand as a
bowling unit ahead of bigger matches.
Not to mention, Sri Lanka is currently second only to
Australia with 13 straight victories in men’s ODIs. Can it be extended to 14?