India's captain Rohit Sharma (L) and Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka shake hands beside the trophy before the start of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo on September 17, 2023. (Photo by Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP)
Colombo: Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first against India as the two sides bid for another Asia Cup title in Sunday's final in Colombo.
The home team made one change with all-rounder Dushan Hemantha coming in for injured Maheesh Theekshana.
Rain has dogged the tournament, a precursor to the ODI World Cup, and more is forecast on Sunday evening.
Sri Lanka came in as underdogs but edged out Pakistan in their last Super Four encounter to book a meeting with India in the 50-over tournament final.
The island nation won the last Asia Cup, which was played in the T20 format.
Washington Sundar has replaced Axar Patel, who was injured in India's loss to Bangladesh in an inconsequential Super Four match at the same venue.
Sundar, an off-spinner who bats left-handed, joined the team on Saturday.
Big guns including Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are back in the Indian team after being rested.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, are looking to extend their Asia Cup titles to eight in ODI and T20 formats.
Monday has been kept aside as a reserve day in case of rain delays.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Umpires: Ahmed Shah Pakteen (AFG), Richard Illingworth (ENG)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
