Sri Lanka asserted their dominance in a compelling display of rugby prowess, defeating India with a commanding 45-10 scoreline in the semi-final of the Asia Men’s Division 1 rugby series. Played at Race Course, the match saw Sri Lanka’s strategic brilliance and agility outshine India’s efforts.
Despite India’s initial resistance, Sri Lanka’s calculated approach, avoiding direct confrontation with the physically imposing Indian team, proved highly effective. The challenging ground conditions and the unwavering endurance of the Sri Lankan players ultimately overwhelmed the visitors.
With this impressive victory, Sri Lanka now advances to the highly anticipated Cup Championship final, where they will face Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan secured their spot in the final with a narrow 33-31 win over Qatar in the preceding match. Sri Lanka’s decision to field several new faces in international rugby paid off, as they strategically preserved the strength of their key players for the upcoming challenge against Kazakhstan.
In the game against India, Sri Lanka’s experienced players showcased their skill and finesse. Pulasthi Dissanayake, Thenuka Nanayakkara, and Sudaraka Dikkumbura led the charge in the first half, securing three tries, all successfully converted by Tharinda Ratwatte.
The second half saw Sri Lanka’s relentless offensive pressure dismantle India’s defense, resulting in four additional tries. Although India managed to respond with a try by prop Bharath Dagar, Sri Lanka maintained control throughout the match. Tharinda Ratwatte’s exceptional performance, including slicing through India’s defense for a try, further solidified Sri Lanka’s dominance.
Looking ahead, the eagerly anticipated Cup Championship final and the 3rd place play-off are scheduled to take place at the Race Course grounds on Saturday. Organized by Sri Lanka Rugby on behalf of Asia Rugby, this tournament signifies a resurgence of Sri Lanka’s rugby prowess. Sri Lanka’s remarkable performance sets the stage for an electrifying final showdown against Kazakhstan, underscoring their promising future in the sport.
