Mohammed Siraj swings the match with a six wicket haul

A fiery spell of swing bowling by Mohammed Siraj which included a four wicket haul in one over equally supported by all-rounder Hardik Pandya after ace pacer  Jasprit Bumrah provided the initial blow in the third ball of the match to set up India’s ten wicket win in the summit clash of Asia Cup 2023 against defending champions Sri Lanka on Sunday evening. 

Twenty nine year old Siraj’s (6/21) career best ODI spell, which included five wickets in just 16 balls after bowling a maiden first over under overcast conditions saw the host being skittled out for mere 50 runs in less than 16 overs, after Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo and elected to bat. The new young opening pair of Shubman Gill (27*) and Ishan Kishan (23*) guided the Rohit Sharma led side home in mere 6.1 Overs following their 51-run unbeaten first wicket stand. In the process registered their highest victory margin by balls remaining in ODI's en-route their eight Asia Cup title after a long gap of five years. 

A beaming Mohammed Siraj who was nominated the Player of the Match latter said “Have been bowling well for a long time and was missing the edges earlier. The wicket was seaming and there was swing also today. Thought I could bowl fuller because of the swing. This cash prize (USD 5000) goes to the groundsmen. This tournament wouldn't have been possible without them."

Left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav who was selected ahead of fellow leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for the marquee continental tournament who took nine wickets in five matches was named the Player of the Series added “Been working on my rhythm for the last one and half years. It's not about wickets but just about the lengths and have worked hard on that. Credit goes to Rohit Sharma, he encouraged me to work on my speed."

A disappointed Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, post the match said "Tough day for us at the office. I thought it'd be a good pitch for batters, but overcast conditions played a part. Lots of positives in the tournament. The way Sadeera and Kusal batted against spin, and also the way Asalanka batted. I would like to thank supporters who came in numbers and for the great support."

 A satisfied Rohit Sharma, India Captain who was playing 250th ODI match added,  "To come out and play like that in the final shows the mental character. Great start with the ball and a clinical finish with the bat. It was good to see that. Siraj has to be given a lot of credit, rare for seamers to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. We did everything we could achieve as a team in this tournament. The way Hardik and Ishan batted in that pressure situation against Pakistan, and then KL and Virat getting hundreds, the way Gill (top scorer of the tournament with 302 runs from six innings including one century and two fifties at batting average of 75.50 and strike rate of 93.50) has been batting. The guys have stood up at various stages."

Brief Scores (Final): Sri Lanka - 50 all out in 15.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 17 (34b: 3x4s), Dushan Hemantha 13* (15b: 1x4); Mohammed Siraj 6/21, Hardik Pandya 3/3, Jasprit Bumrah 1/23) lost to India - 51/0 in 6.1 overs (Shubman Gill 27*(19b: 6x4s), Ishan Kishan 23* (18b: 3x4s) by 10 wickets and 43.5 overs to spare. Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj (India); Player of the Series: Kuldeep Yadav (India)