India vs Sri Lanka: Last Chance to Test Jitesh Sharma as Finisher

India’s cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, faces Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 match of the Asia Cup on Friday, a game that offers a chance to test Jitesh Sharma as a middle-order finisher. With India already qualified for Sunday’s final against Pakistan, the inconsequential match allows head coach Gautam Gambhir to address concerns, including Sanju Samson’s struggles at No. 5 and the team’s fielding lapses, having dropped 10 catches in the tournament.

Sanju Samson’s inability to adapt to the middle order has raised questions about his role. Despite a fifty against Oman, his performances have been inconsistent, and he was overlooked for a top-seven spot against Bangladesh. The team management experimented with Shivam Dube at No. 4 to counter wrist spinners, but the move disrupted the batting order. Jitesh Sharma, however, presents a compelling case as a finisher. His IPL record at No. 5 (374 runs, strike rate 147.8) and No. 6 (384 runs, strike rate 167) highlights his suitability for the role, unlike Samson, who struggles in the back-10 overs on slower pitches.

India’s fielding woes, particularly under Dubai’s unique “ring of fire” floodlights, have also drawn scrutiny. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, whose bowling suffered due to dropped catches, emphasized the need for improvement before the final. The team’s five victories in the tournament have masked these issues, but the high-stakes final demands sharper execution. The Sri Lanka match offers a chance to fine-tune strategies and potentially rest key players like Jasprit Bumrah.

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Sri Lanka, eliminated after losses to Bangladesh and Pakistan, will play for pride. Led by Charith Asalanka, their squad features talents like Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathum Nissanka. India, unbeaten so far, will look to maintain momentum while testing Jitesh’s finishing prowess ahead of the final. The match begins at 8 p.m. IST.

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