Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Sri Lanka’s probable XI for the 2025 Asia Cup. He added that Sri Lanka could meet India in the final. The 2025 Asia Cup will take place in the UAE from September 9 onwards. Sri Lanka, who are placed in Group B, will start their campaign against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on September 13 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The probable XI I have made has Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera as openers. One starts hitting from the start, and Pathum Nissanka plays slightly cautiously. Then Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Kamindu Mendis is a versatile player and Kusal Mendis has a lot of experience. Then Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka. Charith Asalanka plays spin very well and Dasun Shanaka hits well. Then Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage. So you have decent batting till No. 8. Then Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana and either Binura Fernando or Maheesh Theekshana.”
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“They do have an all-condition kind of squad. Sri Lanka are a good team, and I will have to back them to qualify. I won’t be surprised if they play so well that they reach the final. It could be an India-Sri Lanka final. That is also a possibility, provided we and they play well,” Chopra shared again.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also picked a well-balanced team as Sri Lanka’s biggest strength heading into the 2025 Asia Cup as well.
“The squad is looking well-balanced, where all the bases are covered, whether it’s Pathum Nissanka with Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka in the middle. If we talk about all-rounders, you will see a plethora of them. They have got plenty of options in fast bowling. The spin department can be very useful in the UAE. So they are a very well-balanced team,” he said.
“This team’s specialty is that they may not be a team full of superstars, but they can become a superstar team. They have a fantastic mix of anchors and attacking batters. Pathum Nissanka can play both ways. They have got aggressive batters and Kamindu Mendis as well,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
