Asia Cup 2022: 3 batters who can score the most runs in the clash between India and Sri Lanka
Team India will square off against a resurgent Sri Lankan unit in a Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday (September 6).
Both teams will head into the high-octane fixture on the back of contrasting results in their last games. While the Dasun Shanaka-led side defeated an in-form Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma's men fell short in a nail-biting last-over loss against Pakistan on Sunday (September 4).
A win for India will spice up proceedings and keep alive their hopes of entering the final. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will do their best to give the Men in Blue a run for their money and cause an upset. Momentum will be on their side given their recent result.
On that note, let's take a look at the three batters who could score the most runs for their respective teams in what could prove to be a thrilling encounter in Dubai:
#3 KL Rahul | India
KL Rahul was feeling the heat after a poor start to his Asia Cup 2022 campaign.
The Indian vice-captain was out for a first-ball duck in his side's opening match against Pakistan. He then scored 36 off 39 balls in their match against Hong Kong and looked rusty throughout his time in the middle.
However, Rahul found fluency and played some exquisite strokes during his 20-ball 28 in the last match against Pakistan. His team will now hope Rahul carries that form into their upcoming match and stamps his authority on Sri Lanka.
The right-handed opener has an excellent record against the Lankans in T20Is. In seven innings, he has scored 296 runs at an average of around 42 and a strike rate of close to 142.
#2 Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka
Another opener who can put opposition bowlers under pressure and be amongst runs on Tuesday is Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis.
The right-hander has been quite effective at the top of the order for the Islanders. Mendis is his side's highest run-getter in the ongoing Asia Cup, amassing 98 runs in three games at an immaculate strike rate of 163.3.
The Lankan opener has looked comfortable against both spin and pace. He will look to continue his great batting form and give Sri Lanka a good start once again.
Mendis will have to see out the new-ball threat from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. If he does so, he has the ability to trouble the rest of the Indian bowling lineup, which struggled against Pakistan.
#1 Virat Kohli | India
Virat Kohli has slowly found his touch at the Asia Cup 2022.
The former Indian skipper put up a valiant effort in the opening game before notching up a record-breaking 31st T20I half-century against Hong Kong. He ended up unbeaten on 59 from 44 balls in a knock peppered with a four and three sixes.
While his first two knocks had their ebbs and flows, Kohli's latest innings against Pakistan saw him come into his own. He held one end together and made a conscious effort to score at a higher rate.
While Kohli was at the crease, he scored 60 runs off 44 balls. However, he lacked sufficient support as batters at the other end scored 45 off 45. This ultimately played a part in India recording a slightly below-par total of 181 after a fantastic start.
The Lankan unit will be wary of Kohli's recent form and have also struggled against him historically. The right-hander averages 84.7 in the six T20I innings he has played against Sri Lanka, and will be raring to go once more.