Sri Lanka upset leaves India on brink of Asia Cup exit

Sri Lanka have stunned India with a display of aggressive batting to record a six-wicket win in the Asia Cup Super 4.

Half centuries by opening pair Kusal Mendis (57) and Pathum Nissanka (52) led Sri Lanka to 4-174-for their third straight successful run-chase of 170-plus in the tournament.

Sri Lanka won the toss and put India, who lost their opening game to Pakistan on Sunday, into bat in Dubai on Tuesday.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma turned around his below-par batting form with 72 off 41 balls to anchor his team to 8-173 after Virat Kohli was bowled by Dilshan Madushanka (3-24) for a duck.

Madhushanka reined in India's power-hitters in his return spell with the wickets of Rishabh Pant (17) and Deepak Hooda  (3) after Sharma holed out in the 13th over off medium fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne.

Mendis and Nissanka raised Sri Lanka's best opening partnership in a T20 against India when they racked up 97 runs in 11 overs.

India came back through spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's (3-34) triple strike in his last two overs. 

But captain Dasun Shanaka made an unbeaten 33 off 18 balls and Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 25 not out as Sri Lanka reached home with a ball to spare.

"The confidence in the dressing room is great," Shanaka said. "Pathum and Kusal set the tone brilliantly and (Bhanuka) Rajapaksa and I set up the chase."

With only one match left India are in grave danger of missing out on Sunday's final. If Pakistan beat Afghanistan on Wednesday India will be eliminated and both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will qualify.

"We were 10-15 runs short. The guys out in the middle need to learn what they need to do and what kind of shot-making can happen," Sharma said. He added: "This team was on a good run for a long time, such losses will help us better to learn as a team."