India narrowly defeated Sri Lanka in a spectacular Super Over in a match that felt more like a final than a normal Super Four game in the most recent Asia Cup drama. Pathum Nissanka’s brilliant century brought what seemed like a runaway Sri Lankan chase to life, but it wasn’t quite enough to succeed India’s calm when it counted.
Batting second, Sri Lanka seemed to take early charge, powered by a stunning 127-run partnership between Nissanka and Kusal Perera (58). Nissanka finished his century in only 52 balls, making it the first T20 century of the event and including six sixes and seven boundaries. Still, just as Sri Lanka appeared ready for success, the inning faltered. Early in the last over, he got out, and Sri Lanka could only score 202/5, thereby turning India back into the game.
India’s innings earlier established the pattern. Opener Abhishek Sharma illuminated the Super Fours scoreboard with 61 off 31 balls, his third straight half-century. India breached the 200-mark, the first team to do so in the tournament, with support from Tilak Varma, who stayed unbeaten at 49, and Sanju Samson’s rapid 39.
The competition turned into a Super Over with both sides tied at 202. Hopes of Sri Lanka were dashed swiftly: Arshdeep Singh gave only two runs while taking two wickets in five balls. India responded by requiring only one ball; just three runs were sufficient, and captain Suryakumar Yadav struck a clean boundary to end the game.
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For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka’s knock will become a standard of T20 greatness, reminding all that in a format distinguished by small margins, even the most thrilling innings can fall short. India, on the other hand, strengthened their mental fortitude by refusing to blink under pressure and carried their undefeated streak forward in the Asia Cup 2025.
