Finally, after a span of 19 days of rigorous battle between bat as well as ball, we have the champions of Asia and fortunately, it’s the Indian cricket team. The Indian team defeated the Sir Lankan team by 10 wickets in the finals of Asia Cup 2023 at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. It was the eighth time the Indian team have won the title. Despite no initial signs of rain at the toss, the start of play was delayed by 40 minutes due to a drizzle.
The leader of the Indian bowling lineup Jasprit Bumrah struck early by dismissing Kusal Perera in the first over. However, the real showstopper was Mohammed Siraj, who delivered a sensational display of fast bowling in the subcontinent. The star Indian pacer achieved a remarkable feat by taking four wickets in six balls, leaving the Sri Lankan innings in shambles.
Within two overs, he removed Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva. In his very next over, Siraj dismissed Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, achieving the joint-fastest five-wicket haul in ODIs in just 2.4 overs. The 29-year-old’s remarkable figures of 6 for 21 place him as the fourth-best ODI performance by an Indian bowler, following Stuart Binny (6 for 4), Anil Kumble (6 for 12), and Jasprit Bumrah (6 for 19).
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's total of 50 all out stands as their second-lowest in ODIs and the lowest ever recorded by any team against India in one-day internationals. Siraj's exceptional bowling and Sri Lanka's struggles make it a historic match in ODI cricket.
India chase down target with 10 wickets in hand
India has clinched their eighth Asia Cup title by effortlessly chasing down a meager target of 51 against Sri Lanka. The victory came in just 6.1 overs, marking an astounding achievement with 263 balls remaining and all 10 wickets intact. This triumph marked India's largest winning margin in terms of balls left, surpassing their previous record against Kenya in 2001 when they chased down 91 with a margin of 231 balls to spare.
Both the Indian openers, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan looked in a hurry to finish the match as the duo took the remand of the Sri Lankan bowling. Chasing a modest total, the Indian team management decided that Ishan Kishan to open the bowling. Ishan finished with a score of 23 runs along with Gill remaining not out for 27 runs.
Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this Asia Cup win:
The most deserving Team to win in this Asia Cup 🔥🔥
— Harman Singh (@HarmanS48671788) September 17, 2023
Congratulations from 🇵🇰
— Malik Dilawar (@MalikDilawar) September 17, 2023
Congratulations to team India for winning Asia cup 2023. You have given enough to your fans to enjoy.
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 17, 2023
Congratulations to all Indian supporters and fans. Enjoy the moment.
India won 8th title of Asia cup, most by any team followed by Srilanka 6 and Pakistan only 2.
Mohammad…
Rohit Sharma will become the 3rd Indian captain to lift the World Cup
— Maarwadi🚩🚩 (@Marwadi99) September 17, 2023
India created history 📖❤🔥🏏
— GORDXROHIT (@gordxrohit) September 17, 2023
Huge congratulations🎉🥳 to team India 🇮🇳❤❤
Siraj 🔥🔥❤🇮🇳 boom boom 6 wicket 🔥🔥🔥✌❤
Dil jeet liya bhai ❤❤❤
All eyes on World cup now!!
— BJ (@Unbeatable_BJ) September 17, 2023
लंका दहन 🔥
— आदेश कुमार (@wokeindian14) September 17, 2023
🔥🔥🔥😍😍
— CrowdVerdict (@CrowdVerdict) September 17, 2023