The Indian bowlers displayed a magnificent collective performance, propelling their team to a 41-run victory over a resilient Sri Lanka in a Super 4 match and securing a spot in the Asia Cup final on Tuesday.
Rohit Sharma's half-century (53 off 48 balls) played a pivotal role in India's below-par total of 213, as Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage (5/40) and Charith Asalanka (4/18) kept them on their toes.
However, India, guided by Kuldeep Yadav's 4 for 43, managed to bowl out Sri Lanka for 172.
India, with four points in the bag, will face either Sri Lanka or Pakistan in the summit clash on Sunday. The hosts are set to clash with Pakistan in a crucial match on Thursday.
The lackluster performance by their batsmen meant that the Indian bowlers needed to be precise from the get-go. Jasprit Bumrah led the way by dismissing Pathum Nissanka, who edged the ball behind the wicket to KL Rahul.
Kusal Mendis, who looked in great form, fell to a slow, full delivery from Bumrah, caught by substitute fielder Suryakumar Yadav at covers. After a quick check with the TV umpire for a bump ball, Mendis was declared out.
Mohammed Siraj joined the party by restricting Dimuth Karunaratne's room to maneuver, leading to a catch by Shubman Gill at second slip.
Sri Lanka was at 25 for 3 at this point, and Kuldeep took a couple of quick wickets, reducing them to 99 for six.
Nevertheless, Wellalage (42 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (41 off 66 balls) resurrected Lankan hopes with a partnership of 63 runs for the seventh wicket.
However, the partnership was cut short when De Silva attempted to clear the infield off Jadeja but gave a simple catch to Gill at the edge of the circle.
From that point, Wellalage tried to bridge the gap, but it proved to be an insurmountable task.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Wellalage and off-spinner Asalanka had disrupted the rhythm of Indian batters, taking nine wickets between them.
However, before the Lankan spinners exploited the turning pitch at Premadasa, India started their innings aggressively. Rohit and Gill's opening partnership of 80 runs in just 12 overs brought back memories of India's recent blitz against Pakistan when they posted a massive 356 for two.
Rohit's innings saw him reach a significant personal milestone, becoming the sixth Indian batsman to score 10,000 runs in ODIs. This landmark came in style as Rohit hit a majestic six off pacer Kasun Rajita.
Wellalage's introduction shifted the game's momentum as the spinner halted India's early charge. Gill was the first to depart, his defense without full coverage resulted in his dismissal.
Wellalage then dismissed Rohit, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, securing his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.
Asalanka wreaked havoc in India's middle and late order, and his delivery to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja was particularly notable. The ball reared from the length, turned, and bounced viciously, taking an edge off Jadeja's bat before nestling into stumper Kusal Mendis' gloves.
India managed to cross the 200-run mark with Axar Patel contributing a valuable 26, which proved to be enough for the night.