Asia Cup 2023 Final: IND win eighth title with 10-wicket win in final vs SL due to Siraj’s amazing work.
Delhi: India defeated defending champions Sri Lanka by ten wickets to win the Asia Cup title for the first time in five years after Mohammed Siraj produced a magical spell of seaming and swing bowling to take 6 wickets for 21 runs. It was India’s 7th Asia Cup title and their biggest victory in ODIs (263 balls) with regard to balls remaining. Sri Lanka, who were defending champions, were bowled out for 50 as India completed the chase in 6.1 overs.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka found themselves in an embarrassing situation losing their first six wickets for 12 runs. Their innings ended in just 15.2 overs. The dismal batting order witnessed six ducks with two batsmen alone scored in double digits (Kusal Mendis – 17 and Dushan Hemantha – 13). Siraj took four wickets in an over. This is Sri Lanka’s lowest ODI total with its first lowest being 43 against South Africa in 2012. Siraj ended with dream figures of six for 21 in seven overs while Hardik Pandya took three wickets.
India opened with Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill and then pair put on 32 runs in just three overs. They soldiered on and chased down the total in the seventh over and India thus won the final with 10 wickets and 263 balls to spare.
Rohit collects the trophy from ACC president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. He then hands it to the younger players in the squad, as the Indian captains have done since MS Dhoni began that tradition all those years back.
