IND vs SL, Asia Cup 2023 final: Who said what ?

India decimated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 final to lift their 7th ODI Asia Cup title.

Team India have lifted the record-breaking 7th ODI Asia Cup title after thrashing Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final played at R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Mohammed Siraj’s 7-over spell ceased the game for India as Sri Lanka were restricted only to 50 runs total in just 15.2 overs. Team India took only 6.1 overs to decimate Sri Lanka in the game. Mohammed Siraj rattled the Lankan batting order with his 6-wicket spell in 7 overs.

He also became the first Indian and second overall bowler to pick up 4 wickets in one over in ODIs. Chaminda Vaas was the first bowler to pick up 4 wickets in an over ODIs. Kusal Mendis (17) and Dunith Wellalage (13) were the only two batters in the Lankan lineup with double-digit scores. Along with Siraj, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Burmah also contributed as Pandya picked up 3 and Jasprit Bumrah got one. 

Siraj donates his 'Man of the match' prize money to ground staff

Right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj won the Player of the Match award for his 6-wicket spell against Sri Lanka. Siraj was extremely happy with his record-breaking bowling spell. On a lighter note, Siraj also accepted that he missed Biryani in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup 2023.

Siraj said, “Have been bowling well for a long time. Was missing the edges earlier, but found them today. The wicket was seaming earlier, but there was a swing today. Thought that I would be bowling fuller because of the swing. When there’s good bonding between fast bowlers, it is good for the team.” Siraj also donated his entire Man of the Match prize money of 5000 USD to the groundsman and said that the tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them. 

India captain Rohit Sharma looks ready for the upcoming challenge

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won his second consecutive ODI Asia Cup title. He became the champion in the 2018 Asia Cup as well where India defeated Bangladesh in the final in Dubai. Rohit Sharma said, “To come out and play like that in the final shows the mental character. Great start with the ball and clinical finish with the bat.” Rohit was also excited to see Mohammed Siraj’s performance with the new ball.

Rohit said, “I was standing in the slips and something we take pride in… Such a performance we will cherish for a long time. I never thought it was going to do that much. Comes down to the skillset of individuals. Siraj has to be given a lot of credit.” He also looks hopeful of good work in the upcoming tournament. Rohit added, “Look forward to the series that is coming up in India, and then the World Cup.”

Lot of positives for Sri Lanka, feels captain Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka was surprised by Mohammed Siraj. Praising Mohammed Siraj, the Sri Lankan skipper said, “It was an outstanding bowling display from Siraj. I thought it would be a good pitch for batters, but overcast conditions played a part. Tough day for us at the office. We could’ve tightened our technique, would have helped batters to settle in and free their arms later.”

The Sri Lankan team will also take some positives from the tournament as they showed some promise for the future. Dasun Shanaka was happy with the overall performance and said, “Lots of positives. The way Sadeera Samarwickrama and Kusal batted against Spin, also the way Asalanka batted. These three will score heavily in good batting conditions in India.” 

Kuldeep Yadav wins the Man of the Series

Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged Man of the Tournament for his magical spin performance in two games. Kuldeep picked up 5 wickets against Pakistan and 4 against Sri Lanka in the Super 4 round. Kuldeep revealed that he is trying to be more aggressive in his crease while bowling. He said, “For the last one and a half years, I've been working on my rhythm. Being more aggressive through the crease.”

He also credited Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his success and believing in him. Kuldeep added, “Credit goes to Rohit Bhai, he encouraged me to work on my speed.” Kuldeep Yadav also completed a milestone in his ODI career as he completed 150 ODI wickets in just 88 One-day international games.