The Asia Cup 2023 final between India and Sri Lanka began on Sunday, September 17, at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka's captain, Dasun Shanaka, chose to bat first. Unfortunately, rain disrupted the match, causing a delay of nearly 40 minutes.
But the Indian new ball bowlers certainly made up for the lost time with some excellent new ball bowling. In the first over, India's Jasprit Bumrah made a crucial breakthrough, dismissing opener Kusal Perera for a two-ball duck with an outswinger. KL Rahul took the catch diving to his left. But what transpired in the second overs of the Sri Lankan innings was something special. Mohammed Siraj wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batting picking up four wickets in his first over.
The star Indian speedster also completed his fifty ODI internationals wickets along most surprisingly, the pacer took five wickets in just 16 balls of his spell. In his first over, Siraj firstly dismissed the opener Pathum Nissanka (2) courtesy of some brilliant catching from Ravindra Jadeja at point. Following this wicket, the star from the previous match, Sadeera Samarawickrama came into bat. But Samarawickrama’s stay was also cut short by a brilliant inswinger from Siraj trapping the 28-year-old right in front of the stump.
Mohammed Siraj took 50 wickets in One Day Internationals
In the following delivery, the phenomenal Indian pacer then got Charith Asalanka caught in the hands of Ishan Kishan fielding in the cover region. In the fifth ball of the over, Dhananjaya de Silva played the first scoring shot against Siraj in the match with a brilliant boundary. Siraj got back and took the wicket of de Silva's very next delivery. With this wicket, the star Indian bowler joined the elite league of bowlers to take four wickets in one over.
The 29-year-old bowler had a remarkable spell, securing a five-wicket haul in the ODI against Sri Lanka by dismissing Dasun Shanaka for a four-ball duck. Later in his sixth over, Siraj got the wicket of well-set Kusal Mendis when he clean-bowled Mendis courtesy of a brilliant inswinger. He equaled Chaminda Vaas for the fastest ODI five-for in just 16 balls and also reached 50 ODI wickets in his 29th ODI, ranking fourth fastest among Indian bowlers. In terms of balls bowled, Siraj is the second-fastest to achieve 50 ODI wickets, trailing only Ajantha Mendis.
Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this astonishing batting display from Mohammed Siraj;
Siraj 🔥🔥🔥 Spell of his life 😍
— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) September 17, 2023
4 wickets in an over..
— VJ (@VJsGamer) September 17, 2023
Completely dominating by Indian team..
Absolutely dominating 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KNrQPQUSeo
— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) September 17, 2023
Today, Md. Siraj is simply unstoppable. He is just breathing fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥 through his bowling .#INDvSL #AsiaCupFinals
— RAJESH-SWD (@iamrajeshjena) September 17, 2023
Asia cup final. pic.twitter.com/hrAPkvqCvG
— Arnav Shukla. (@Akshay_Brigade) September 17, 2023
Siraj 🔥🔥❤🇮🇳 boom boom 4 wicket 🔥🔥🔥✌❤
— GORDXROHIT (@gordxrohit) September 17, 2023
Mohammad Siraj the superstar, the champion, the Lion. 4 wicket in one over..
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 17, 2023
Incredible over, incredible bowling.
— Yogesh (@yogeshontop) September 17, 2023
He has completely destroyed the SL batting. Siraj you superstar🔥
What a bowler
— User45 (@140off113) September 17, 2023