Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Showdown: India vs Sri Lanka Preview, XI and Live Updates

Match preview and team news

The Asia Cup 2025 reaches its critical phase as India take on Sri Lanka in the sixth Super Four match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 26 September. India have already booked their place in the final after a comfortable win over Bangladesh, so the game is more about polishing the side than sheer survival. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, enter the fixture with their tournament hopes extinguished, intent on ending on a high note.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav will keep the leadership baton, but the coaching staff is expected to experiment with the batting order and bowling combinations. Both Haris Rauf and Suryakumar have been fined by the ICC ahead of the match, a story that adds a hint of tension to the dressing room.

Tilak Varma, who has been vocal about his fitness regime inspired by Virat Kohli, says the team is focusing on finishing matches strongly. "We want to see the middle order fire and our finishers click," he told the media. His comments underline India's push to iron out any lingering weaknesses before the championship clash.

For Sri Lanka, captain Charith Asalanka must rally a side that stumbled after a promising group‑stage unbeaten run. The middle order has been unreliable, with the lone bright spot being all‑rounder Kamindu Mendis, who has shown resilience in a few crucial partnerships.

Probable playing XIs, as per the latest team sheets:

• India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Haris Rauf
• Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sachith Pathirana, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne

Pitch, toss and what to expect

The Dubai deck has softened a bit compared with the first two matches of the tournament. It offers a reliable bounce and a batting surface that can hold up to 180 runs without disintegrating. Seamers will get a sliver of assistance in the early overs, but spinners should find limited turn, making the middle‑over phase crucial for building partnerships.

Outfield conditions are slightly slower than the typical Indian grounds, meaning boundaries will require more power than timing. In a recent practice session, Abhishek Sharma smashed a half‑century in 34 balls, signaling that the Indians intend to capitalize on the bright conditions right from the start.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping the early moisture would give their seamers a foothold. However, India's aggressive top order, led by Sharma’s left‑handed assault, could neutralize any early swing. If the Lankans can break the partnership early, they might force India to rebuild at a slower rate, testing the depth of India's batting line‑up.

Beyond the on‑field tactics, the match serves as India's final rehearsal before the final showdown. Coaches will likely trial a clear‑out bowler slot and maybe give a younger player a few overs to assess readiness for the big game. For Sri Lanka, a win would be a morale booster, showing that despite the tournament exit, they can still pose a threat on a decent pitch.

All eyes will be on how the middle order responds once the openers are dismissed. The performance of all‑rounders like Hardik Pandya for India and Kamindu Mendis for Sri Lanka could tilt the balance. With a target in the 160‑170 range deemed competitive, both teams have a clear benchmark to gauge their execution against.