India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2025 Live Score Updates: Hardik Pandya dismissed for 2, India 188/5. Gill and Abhishek’s bond takes spotlight in Dubai clash ahead of India vs Pakistan final.
India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2025 match 18 is underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is eyeing another win to maintain their unbeaten run. Though the fixture is not crucial for the tournament standings, as India has already booked a final spot against Pakistan, it holds significance for fine-tuning performances and testing middle-order resilience. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is out of contention but still searching for pride and momentum.
The toss went in Sri Lanka’s favor, with skipper Charith Asalanka opting to bowl first on a flat Dubai track. India started positively but faced a small setback when all-rounder Hardik Pandya fell cheaply for just 2 runs. Dushmantha Chameera struck the crucial blow, leaving India five down at 188 in the 18th over. This dismissal highlighted once again the shaky middle-order which has not consistently delivered throughout the tournament.
For India, the story of the tournament has been strong starts, solid contributions from the top order, and moments of brilliance from bowlers. However, as the Asia Cup reaches its decisive stage, the need for stability in the middle overs is being felt. Despite unbeaten success so far, questions remain around how the Indian batting will respond in pressure games, especially against Pakistan in the final.
Sri Lanka’s journey has been mixed. They began the Asia Cup with confidence and some big wins, but faltered in the Super 4 stage. Their batting collapsed in key encounters, particularly when their openers failed to set a foundation. The bowling unit, led by Nuwan Thushara, also lacked penetration in later games, making it difficult for them to defend totals. Against India, they are keen to end the campaign with a strong performance, even though the result has no bearing on qualification.
Beyond the scorecard, another story captures attention in Dubai. It is the reunion of two of India’s brightest young stars: Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Their camaraderie dates back to age-group cricket, a friendship that has grown stronger with time. A widely shared old interview from 2018 U-19 World Cup days shows them laughing, teasing, and sharing stories of pranks and cheat meals. That video, simple yet heartwarming, reflects their genuine bond off the field.
Shubman Gill, now India’s Test captain, has seamlessly carried forward the batting legacy of Virat Kohli. His poise, technique, and leadership have made him the face of India’s future. Abhishek Sharma, meanwhile, has exploded onto the global T20 stage as one of the most destructive six-hitters. From Sunrisers Hyderabad to international cricket, his fearless stroke play has enthralled fans across formats. Though their paths diverged after early years, destiny has brought them together again on the grand stage in Dubai.
Their journey began at an Under-14 camp, where Abhishek first crossed paths with Gill. Interestingly, Abhishek admits he did not notice much about Gill at first, but Gill instantly recognized Abhishek’s rare power-hitting ability. From then on, they grew close as teammates. They shared rooms, meals, cinema trips, and even mischievous pranks. Their backgrounds were different—Gill coming from a well-off farming family in Punjab’s Fazilka, while Abhishek grew up in a more middle-class setup in Amritsar. But cricket united them, and the encouragement from their fathers strengthened their passion for the game.
In one of his interviews, Abhishek reflected on this bond, saying, “I cannot describe our friendship. We strike off well, we are happy in each other’s company and success.” This closeness continues to show on the field, where they back each other’s game and often share light-hearted moments even in intense matches.
As the Asia Cup 2025 continues, India’s unbeaten march has fans dreaming of glory against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. But for now, the group-stage clash against Sri Lanka gives players like Gill and Abhishek the opportunity to fine-tune their batting and enjoy the game with freedom. For Sri Lanka, it is about salvaging pride and giving their supporters something to cheer about after a disappointing Super 4 phase.
The night in Dubai will be remembered not just for the runs and wickets but also for the celebration of friendship, hard work, and the journey of two young cricketers who once giggled about cheat meals and pranks, and now stand as pillars of Indian cricket’s present and future.
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