Asia Cup: India seek a perfect WC warm-up with final victory

Notwithstanding the defeat to Bangladesh on Friday, the Asia Cup has helped India tick many boxes. KL Rahul has made a successful return from injury with bat and gloves. Jasprit Bumrah has bowled like he had never been away.

- Vivek Krishnan

Kuldeep Yadav has fulfilled the role of an attacking wrist spinner by making breakthroughs through the middle overs. Shubman Gill has regained his touch and contributed runs in different circumstances.

As India back at full strength after making five changes against Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday, they will be looking to tick another box: get over the line in a final. India haven't done that on these big occasions - be it a semi-final or final-in ICC tournaments for the past ecade, laid bare by their failure to win a major event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

With the ODI World Cup beginning three weeks from now, there's no better run-in to it than winning silverware in similar conditions. The Asia Cup has had its defects - a reserve day was arbitrarily introduced for India versus Pakistan, rain interrupted a few matches, and the standard of cricket has not been as robust as desired. But an Asia Cup final is still that of a multination tournament and a victory will infuse belief about being able to turn up on the big day.