From thumping Pakistan by a record margin to losing to Bangladesh: India's journey to Asia Cup final

India looked at Asia Cup 2023 as a preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. The Men in Blue have confirmed their ticket for the final and will face Sri Lanka in the summit clash. Here is India's journey to the Asia Cup 2023 final.

India began their journey in the Asia Cup 2023 with a no-result game against Pakistan in Group A. The much-awaited clash between the two Asian giants was washed out due to rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2. The rain came in when India completed their innings with a score of 266/10.

The Men in Blue's next clash came against the minnows Nepal. This clash was also a rain-interrupted one with the game getting shortened in India's chase. Nepal made 230 in the first innings as Aasif Sheikh scored a fifty. In a DLS-reduced target of 145 from 23 overs, India won by 10 wickets. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored 74 and 67 runs, respectively.

India faced Pakistan in their first Super Four clash next. A reserve day for the encounter was added after rain spoiled the first meeting. Riding on the back of centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, India amassed their joint-highest ODI total against Pakistan - 356. The bowlers joined the party and bowled Pakistan out for 128, helping the Men in Blue register their biggest win over the arch-rivals in the ODIs.

Rohit Sharma's men next locked horns with Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka. On the challenging surface of the R Premadasa Stadium, India scored 213 as Rohit top-scored with 53. Dunith Wellalage ran through the Indian batting with a fifer on debut. He displayed a spectacular performance with the bat too and took Sri Lanka within touching distance of a win. However, India won by 41 runs.

The Men in Blue then faced Bangladesh in a dead rubber. Both teams made five changes to their playing XI. India rested Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Siraj. Bangladesh scored 265 as Shakib Al Hasan scored 80. In reply, the Men in Blue fell six runs short despite a brilliant ton from Shubman Gill. India now face Sri Lanka in the final.