India in Asia Cup final

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP):

Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 56 as India recovered from a poor start to reach the final of the Asia Cup with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka yesterday.

India eased past their victory target with a total of 142-5 in 19.2 overs after Sri Lanka, which were sent in to bat first, reached 138-9.

Kohli shared two significant partnerships 54 with Suresh Raina (25) and 51 with Yuvraj Singh (35) after India were reduced to 16-2.

Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the game with two wickets in the space of four runs, but Kohli, aided by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, finished the game with a mid-wicket boundary.

Pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekara claimed 2-21 for Sri Lanka. Medium-fast bowlers Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera, along with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier Sri Lanka recovered from an early collapse to post their modest total, with Chamara Kapugedera top-scoring on 30.

Kapugedera held the innings together after India left Sri Lanka at 15-2.

Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed two wickets apiece for India.