Dead rubbers don’t come around in tournament play all too often, but that’s exactly what stares India and Sri Lanka in the face in the T20 Asia Cup. The former have taken their expected place in Sunday’s final, the latter are out of the hunt after successive defeats in the Super 4s stage. As such, not a lot hinges on Friday night’s outcome at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, though despite their status as finalists, India have plenty of creases to iron out.

Skipper under pressure

Primary among them are skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s form and a catching malaise that has spread rapidly through the ranks since the start of the Super 4s. Suryakumar, once the No. 1 T20I batter in the world but now in the sixth position, hasn’t had a grand time of it since succeeding Rohit Sharma in the hot seat last July, with just two half-centuries and an average of 19.81 in 18 innings. The days when he would walk out and immediately take a game by the scruff of its neck aren’t anywhere near as regular as they once used to be.