In the Asia Cup 2023 Final between India and Sri Lanka, India secured their eighth Asia Cup title with a resounding 10-wicket win. The match began with a remarkable performance by Mohammed Siraj, who brought Sri Lanka down to their knees in just the first six overs of the game. Siraj’s exceptional bowling display resulted in a five-wicket haul in that period, dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
The opening bowlers for India, Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj, set the tone for the match. Bumrah started by taking a wicket in the third ball of the innings, and then Siraj followed suit by taking four wickets in the fourth over alone. In just his second over, Siraj dismissed Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, completing his five-wicket haul. Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 12/6 in 5.4 overs at that point.
Hardik Pandya also contributed to the Sri Lankan collapse, claiming three wickets in the 16th over, wiping out the Sri Lankan innings. Sri Lanka was bowled out for a mere 50 runs, marking their second-lowest score ever in ODIs.
India’s opening batsmen, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, displayed great resilience and skill as they put on 32 runs in just three overs. They continued their excellent partnership and successfully chased down the target in the seventh over, securing India’s victory with 10 wickets and 263 balls to spare.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, collected the trophy from ACC president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. This win highlighted India’s exceptional teamwork and talent throughout the tournament. The consistent performance of India’s largely unchanged XI and their ability to cope with injuries demonstrated the depth of their squad. Ishan Kishan’s solid performance further emphasized the competition for places in the team, while the bowling lineup, featuring Bumrah, Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav, showcased its firepower.
India’s dominance in the Asia Cup serves as a warning to the other teams that will compete in the World Cup in India the following month. With a well-rounded squad and home advantage, India is set to be a formidable force in the upcoming tournament.
The post-match reflections from players and coaches highlighted the significance of Siraj’s exceptional bowling performance and the mental strength displayed by the Indian team in the final. Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, acknowledged the outstanding display by Siraj and praised the performance of some of his young players who showed promise.
The ground staff received recognition for their outstanding work during the tournament, with a cheque of USD 50,000 presented to them. Kuldeep Yadav was named the player of the series, emphasizing the impact of his consistent performances.
Mohammed Siraj, who was named the player of the match for his remarkable figures of 6/21, expressed his gratitude and dedication of the cash prize to the ground staff. The presentation ceremony, though delayed due to the unexpectedly early conclusion of the game, honored the efforts of all involved.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar summed up Siraj’s performance as “destruction and annihilation.” Sri Lanka’s coach, Chris Silverwood, acknowledged the disappointment of their below-par performance but also highlighted the growth and potential of some of their younger bowlers.
Hardik Pandya emphasized the importance of finishing games under pressure, and he praised the bowlers for their performance, especially Siraj’s ability to swing the new ball. Shardul Thakur and KL Rahul also shared their thoughts on India’s clinical performance and the team’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup.
Records were set during this match, with it being the third shortest ODI in terms of deliveries bowled. India’s victory margin was the biggest in terms of balls remaining in an ODI final. Additionally, it marked India’s largest win in ODIs in terms of balls remaining.
In conclusion, India’s comprehensive victory in the 2023 Asia Cup final showcased their strength and depth as a team, sending a strong message to their competitors ahead of the World Cup. With exceptional performances from both bowlers and batsmen, India’s dominance in Asian cricket continues, and they have now secured their eighth Asia Cup title.
