Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka on Monday said India's IPL experience and winning mindset makes them a challenging team to face as his side targets a place in the Asia Cup final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The island nation won their opening Super Four match and know another victory against Rohit Sharma's India in Dubai on Tuesday will edge them closer to a shot at the title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka saw off Afghanistan on Saturday while India lost to arch-rivals Pakistan to start the Super Four round. They desperately need a win to stay in the race for the final on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India arrived without spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel due to injuries. Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder who bowls left-arm spin, picked up a knee injury during the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It doesn't matter who comes from the Indian side. They come with a lot of experience playing IPL games and around the world," Shanaka told reporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Their body language and mindset is to beat any of the countries at the international stage. Likewise we are well prepared and looking forward to it."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India are defending their Asia Cup title won in 2018 when the tournament used the 50-over format, but their last ICC title came in the 2013 Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This year's Asia Cup takes on extra significance because the T20 World Cup in Australia takes place in October and November.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India began this Asia Cup with a win over Pakistan but went down to them by five wickets on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shanaka believes India will be under no pressure against them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think they had a very good game last night. There is nothing called under pressure at the moment because they are playing very good cricket," said Shanaka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added: "Our approach will the same like other games, playing in a positive manner."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka bounced back from their crushing opening loss to Afghanistan in the group stage to beat Bangladesh and enter the Super Four.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The team then chased down 176 at Sharjah to beat the Afghans by four wickets and Shanaka insists their batting remains the key to success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Our strength is batting and if the batsmen do good then we got a better chance, and key is the partnerships in the game," said Shanaka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"And if we can have partnerships top of the order then we are in the game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The India-Pakistan rivalry has been the main talking point at the event as the two nations have played each other twice already, with fans anticipating another meeting in the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shanaka said his team has shut out the noise to focus on their own game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When it comes to Asian cricket games it's majorly India-Pakistan games everyone talks about, but we've got a very good team, which can win," said Shanaka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n