Sri Lanka produced an electrifying start in their Asia Cup 2025 encounter against India on September 26 at the Dubai International Stadium. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera launched a brutal counterattack in the powerplay, smashing 72 runs, the highest-ever by Sri Lanka in that phase of a T20I, despite an early setback.
Kusal Mendis fell for a golden duck in the first over, edging Hardik Pandya to the slips, but that dismissal hardly slowed down the Sri Lankans. Pathum Nissanka, who opened his innings with a boundary, went on to score a blazing 47 off just 21 balls. Kusal Perera gave him fine support, adding 24 runs from 14 deliveries. Together, they punished India’s pace and spin attack, denying any relief to Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana or Axar Patel. Their onslaught made sure Sri Lanka equalled the tournament’s best powerplay score, matching India’s 72 against Bangladesh.
The momentum carried forward as both the batters reached their fifties in just 25 balls each. With boundaries flowing freely, the partnership sailed past the 100-run mark, reaching 114 for 1 at the halfway stage. That made it the highest 10-over score recorded in a T20 Asia Cup match, putting India under pressure early on.
Earlier, India also put up a dominant batting performance with the help of some powerful hitting from Abhishek Sharma. Setting a new tournament benchmark, they posted 202 for 5, the highest team total of this Asia Cup. Abhishek Sharma continued his sensational run at the top, cracking 61 off 31 deliveries, including eight fours and two sixes. His quickfire fifty, his third in succession, gave India early control before he was caught at deep mid-wicket.
The middle order had mixed fortunes. Shubman Gill fell cheaply for 4 against Maheesh Theekshana, while captain Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form persisted as he managed only 12 before falling lbw to Wanindu Hasaranga.
Sanju Samson, promoted to number five, rediscovered his rhythm with a fluent 39 from 22 balls. He cleared the ropes three times, including a spectacular straight six off Hasaranga, and stitched a crucial 66-run stand with Tilak Varma.
Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 49 from 34 balls, ensuring stability as India pushed past 200. Axar Patel applied the finishing touches with a last-over six, sealing India’s best total of the tournament and giving them momentum ahead of the Asia Cup final.
Though the match went into the Super Over, still India managed to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
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