India defeated Sri Lanka in a Super Over in Dubai, extending their unbeaten streak in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four round. The dead rubber before the final became a nail-biting affair, with Pathum Nissanka‘s sparkling century almost ruining India’s party.
Asked to bat first, India scored 202/5, their highest total of the competition. Abhishek Sharma got off to a blazing start, scoring 61 off 31 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Tilak Varma led the middle overs with an undefeated 49 off 34, while Sanju Samson added 24. Sri Lanka’s bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals, but none could stop the flow of runs as India cruised beyond 200.
Sri Lanka’s response was strong, thanks to Nissanka, who scored his first T20I century. He and Kusal Perera combined for a record 127 runs, putting India on the back foot. Perera’s 54 off 27 kept the chase alive, but Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy slowed the pace in the middle overs, resulting in a mini-collapse.
Nonetheless, Sri Lanka prolonged the game into the final over, which required 12. Harshit Rana dismissed Nissanka for a brilliant 107 off the first ball, but Dasun Shanaka’s efforts, combined with Indian fielding blunders, reduced the equation to 3 runs off the final delivery. Shanaka only managed two, tying the match at 202 each.
The contest moved to a Super Over, where Suryakumar Yadav trusted Arshdeep Singh with the ball. The left-arm pacer delivered under pressure and dismissed both Perera and Shanaka. Perera perished on the first ball, while Shanaka fell trying to push the score. Sri Lanka managed just 2/2 in six balls.
India needed only three to win, and Suryakumar finished it in style off the first delivery, punching Wanindu Hasaranga through cover for three runs.
The result extended India’s perfect record in tied T20Is as they have now won all six decided via Super Over or Bowl Out. For Sri Lanka, it was their fourth defeat in six Super Over contests.
Who Said What?
Pathum Nissanka, Player of the Match
Suryakumar Yadav, India (Winning Captain)
It felt like a final (laughs). The boys showed a lot of character after the first half in the second innings. Told them to play this like a semi-final. Get everyone close in, have good energy and then let’s see what happens. Good to be on the winning side.
To have that start, and then someone like Sanju and Tilak batting that way and taking the tempo ahead from where Abhishek left (cannot say from where I left it)…Sanju not opening, going down the order, taking responsibility and Tilak taking confidence and responsibility, that was good to see. Arshdeep has been in that situation a lot of time and he has delivered for us.
I only told him to back your own plans and not to think about anything. We are already in the finals, but have your own plans and execute it. I have seen him execute his plans, do really well for India and his IPL franchise. His confidence says it all and no one but Arshdeep for that Super Over.
Let’s have a good recovery tonight. Let us not think about that (the final) right now. Few boys had a lot of cramps today. Have a good recovery day tomorrow and we will turn up the same way we did today. What I wanted from the boys, just trying to execute their plans, be clear and not to fear, that was really important and I am sure everyone got what they wanted. Happy to be in the final.
Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka (Losing Captain)
It was a fabulous game and we were in the game until Varun and Kuldeep bowled those middle overs. It was unbelievable batting (from Nissanka), they have some extremely good bowlers and it was really good to see him bat with that attacking approach. Lots of positives from the Asia Cup. We have been playing good cricket and unfortunately we couldn’t win in the last 2 games. As a captain, there are a lot of positives to take.
India
