Asia Cup Final: In IPL 2021, CSK received the match batting first and it was in my thoughts, says Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka

It might have been infinitely sweeter had Dasun Shanaka had lifted the Asia Cup trophy on the iconic Premadasa Stadium however the sort of efficiency they’ve put within the Asia Cup after being thrashed within the first recreation by Afghanistan would make anybody imagine that this bunch of feisty cricketers is usually a darkish horse within the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Known for all the time punching above their weights, Sri Lanka has certainly redeemed itself in a format the place they’d turn out to be world champions again in 2014.

Celebrations galore among the many DP World #AsiaCup 2022 🏆 champions 💪🏼🤩🥳@OfficialSLC #SLvPAK #ACC #GetReadyForEpic #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/xeCONN7onF

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 11, 2022

However, in Dubai, one has seen that toss has turn out to be a vital issue, however Shanaka was taking inspiration from MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who received the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 title after batting first within the remaining.

“In IPL 2021, Chennai won the match batting first and that is what was in my mind,” mentioned Shanaka within the post-match interview.

Shanaka mentioned the final ball six off Naseem Shah had shifted the momentum in direction of them.

“The last ball six was the turning point. 170 was mentally the difference, as 160 always feels chasable,” he mentioned.

Sri Lankan 🇱🇰 skipper @dasunshanaka1 and finals participant of the match, @BhanukaRajapak3 seize the mic to speak about their efficiency 💪, the teaching that helped them succeed 🏋️, and sustaining their type 🏏#SLvPAK #ACC #AsiaCup2022 #GetReadyForEpic pic.twitter.com/iixJpSynwZ

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 11, 2022

The fortunes of Sri Lanka cricket nose-dived identical to the nation’s eco-system on the whole, with poor choice and inside politics within the board not serving to their trigger both.

The group that Shanaka led throughout their away collection in India some six months again had roughly identical bunch of gamers however what Sri Lanka had achieved efficiently is change their T20 gameplan, which is now full of aggression.

Sri Lanka even had a woeful begin to the event, they have been thrashed by Afghanistan, however Shanaka feels that loss ‘happened for a good reason.’ But they made a surprising comeback with 5 successive wins within the event after getting overwhelmed by Afghanistan in its opening recreation.

“We had serious discussions after that game. Each and every individual did well for us and that is how we became champions. The fielding improved a lot in the finals. We had some mistakes in the league stages. We were 100% today,” he mentioned.