Asia Cup 2023

‘Underdogs hain ye log ab’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka set to play Asia Cup 2023 final without five first team players

Sri Lanka will set out to retain their Asia Cup crown against India on Sunday at the R.Premadasa stadium in Colombo

Published on

September 16, 2023

Sri Lanka’s qualification for the final versus India has brought the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four to a close after being an emotional rollercoaster for cricket supporters across the world. Their path to the final, nevertheless, has been hampered by a serious injury suffered to one of their important players in the Super 4s match against Pakistan, which has left the Sri Lankan team worried and unsure about their chances for their final encounter against India.

Fans will remember the Super 4s match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for years into the future. Sri Lanka stunned the Green Team by two wickets using the DLS system in the thrilling match that came down to the wire.

While the triumph was great, it occurred at a price that can come back to haunt Sri Lanka as they get ready to play India in the championship game. The key member of the Sri Lankan team and spinner Maheesh Theekshana was the one who sustained the aforementioned injury.

During the match against Pakistan, Theekshana was put in danger but he has played well in the tournament. He bowled his full quota of overs even after injuring his hamstring which showed great courage but it has cost the team dearly.

The spinner was performing brilliantly up until the calamity hit, only giving up 14 runs during his first five overs. He was afterwards spotted walking off the pitch with assistance. It was a heartbreaking moment for the promising young spinner as well as a significant source of worry for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka set to play final without five first-team players

On Friday night, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially announced that Theekshana will not be playing against India in the final. The spinner’s right hamstring injury, which the board said occurred during fielding in the nation’s Super 4 match against Pakistan, was verified during Friday’s tests.

This injury rules Maheesh Theekshana out of the Asia Cup 2023, making him the fifth player from the Sri Lankan team to be ruled out. Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushan Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka are the four other players. They are ruled out of the squad for Sri Lanka due to injuries

Fans react as Sri Lanka set to play Asia Cup 2023 final without five first team players:

Hasaranga ruled out.
Theekshana ruled out.
Chameera ruled out.
Madushanka ruled out
Lahiru Kumara ruled out.

Sri Lanka will be without 5 main bowlers in the Asia Cup final. pic.twitter.com/RmUsNejqft

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 16, 2023