India in Asia Cup final after gritty victory over Sri Lanka

Kuldeep takes four wickets in 41-run win after skipper Rohit Sharma hits fifty in low-scoring match

- Somshuvra Laha

A schedule stretched too thin, multiple rain interruptions, bullish allotment of reserve days and tepid attendance-the optics haven't made for a memorable Asia Cup so far.

But somehow, it's also turning out to be just the kind of World Cup warmup India probably were seeking. Wins have come defending totals both big and small, on contrasting pitches and not always through predictable means. To conjure all of that in two matches on three consecutive days against Pakistan and Sri Lanka who were nearly guided home by Dunith Wellalage's allround effort of 5/40 and a valiant, unbeaten 42-is no mean achievement, especially for a side that still has so many moving parts.

Here's India's progress report so far: On two different pitches the openers and the middle-order have been given a thorough workout in a staggered manner. Barring Suryakumar Yadav, all boxes have been ticked while India tinkered around with their middle order. Shreyas Iyer got an outing but a back spasm has hampered his progress, KL Rahul batted at No 4 on Monday and Ishan Kishan on Tuesday.