India continued their dominant start to the Asia Cup 2026 with a comprehensive 66-run victory over Sri Lanka in Match 4 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Led by a blistering half-century from Abhishek Sharma and backed by a disciplined bowling performance, India secured their second consecutive win of the tournament and strengthened their position at the top of the standings.

After being asked to bat first, India got off to a flying start thanks to the explosive form of Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander continued his remarkable tournament, smashing 53 runs from just 18 deliveries. His innings featured four boundaries and six towering sixes as he attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers from the very first over.

Abhishek found brief support from Sanju Samson, who struck a quick six before falling for 6, while Ishan Kishan added 12. Although India lost wickets regularly through the middle overs, Abhishek's aggressive approach ensured the scoreboard kept moving at a rapid pace.

Sri Lanka fought back impressively through their bowling attack. Dushmantha Chameera delivered an outstanding spell, conceding only 13 runs while taking two important wickets. Eshan Malinga and Wanindu Hasaranga were equally effective, both claiming three wickets each to trigger a middle-order collapse.

At one stage, India looked set for a total well beyond 170 before Sri Lanka's bowlers pulled things back. Shivam Dube played a valuable hand of 28 from 13 balls, while Jasprit Bumrah provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 12 from just three deliveries. India eventually finished on 145/9 from their 10 overs, a competitive total but one that Sri Lanka would have believed was within reach.

However, India's bowlers had different plans.

The chase could not have started worse for Sri Lanka as Jasprit Bumrah struck with the very first ball, dismissing Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck. The early breakthrough immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure and set the tone for the innings.

Dinesh Chandimal briefly counterattacked with 10 from four balls, but Prasidh Krishna removed him to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 16/2. Kusal Mendis then launched a lone fightback, producing a superb innings of 33 from just 15 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter struck two fours and four sixes and looked capable of taking the game deep.

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, wickets continued to tumble around him. Shivam Dube broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Kusal Mendis, while Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice in quick succession to remove Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis.

From 36/2, Sri Lanka collapsed dramatically. Dasun Shanaka briefly entertained with 12 from four balls before becoming Varun Chakravarthy's only wicket of the innings. A sharp run-out from Suryakumar Yadav removed Wanindu Hasaranga, while Prasidh Krishna claimed his second wicket by dismissing Eshan Malinga.

India's fielding remained exceptional throughout the innings, producing two crucial run-outs and several athletic catches that completely strangled Sri Lanka's hopes of a comeback.

The innings eventually ended on 79 all out in 7.1 overs as Krishna removed Malinga to complete a dominant Indian victory.

Match Highlights

• India defeated Sri Lanka by 66 runs.
• Abhishek Sharma blasted 53 runs from just 18 balls.
• Abhishek registered his second consecutive fifty of the tournament.
• Shivam Dube contributed a valuable 28 from 13 deliveries.
• India posted 145/9 in their 10 overs.
• Wanindu Hasaranga and Eshan Malinga picked up 3 wickets each.
• Dushmantha Chameera finished with impressive figures of 2/13.
• Kusal Mendis top-scored for Sri Lanka with 33 from 15 balls.
• Sri Lanka were bowled out for 79 in 7.1 overs.
• Ravichandran Ashwin and Prasidh Krishna claimed two wickets each.
• India maintained their unbeaten record in Asia Cup 2026.

Player of the Match

Abhishek Sharma (India)

Abhishek Sharma once again provided India with a dream start, hammering 53 runs from only 18 deliveries at a strike rate of 294.44. His aggressive innings laid the foundation for India's winning total and earned him the Player of the Match award.

With two wins from two matches and both batting and bowling units firing, India have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Asia Cup 2026. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, face an uphill battle after suffering consecutive defeats and will need a strong response in their remaining fixtures to stay alive in the competition.