“Indian Team had a thrilling victory over Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to clinch Asia Cup 2023 at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This victory became more special as it was a scintillating performance by Siraj, taking 6 wickets and bowling out Sri Lanka for a mere total of 50 runs.
This was a low total for Sri Lanka, which made the entire match one of the weakest finales of the tournament. It was a major disaster for Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka who won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that ultimately proved to be wrong. Within a few overs, they lost wickets at regular intervals. Sri Lanka lost 6 wickets for just 12 runs, and the innings lasted only for 15.2 overs, ending on a mere total of 50 runs.
With a target of just 51 runs, India conquered it in 6.1 overs, with Shubman Gill scoring 27 and Ishan Kishan scoring a brilliant 23 not out.
Siraj was the main force behind India’s success, achieving his personal best figures of 6 wickets for just 21 runs, including one maiden over. This made his spell one of the most fiery performances, earning him the Player of the Match award.
From the beginning of Sri Lankan innings, Siraj was on fire, taking 4 wickets in one over, which rattled the Sri Lankan innings. They were 12 for 5 at the end of the fourth over. He was delighted when Pathum Nissanka was caught at point on the very first ball of the over. Later on, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka fell on the third and fourth balls of that same over. Siraj further did damage when, on the final ball of the same over, he got Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind, sealing the tragic loss for Sri Lanka in the finale in front of their home crowd.
Siraj was ecstatic about this power-packed performance of taking 6 wickets against Sri Lanka. His joy doubled when he learned that he had equaled the record of Sri Lankan speedster Chaminda Vaas, who had picked 5 wickets against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2003, all in just 16 balls.
During the post-match interview, the jubilant Siraj stated, ‘Jitna Naseeb mein hota hai utna hi milta hai, Aaj mera naseeb tha,’ as if he was referring to the third ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, where he took 4 wickets against Sri Lanka. Due to his early 4 wickets, Sri Lanka managed to score only 73 runs while chasing a mammoth total of 391. However, in that match, his only regret was that he couldn’t get the 5th wicket. He even mentioned the same, ‘that day, I was getting edges off the bat at regular intervals but could not get the 5th one. I am happy today I have got 6 wickets.’
He showed great sportsmanship by donating his USD 5000 cash prize, which he received as Player of the Match, to the groundsman of Premadasa Stadium, who had worked so hard to prepare the wickets. This was a wonderful gesture, a true champion’s move.
The Asia Cup has proven to be the best tournament for the Indian Team. At the same time, it provided valuable insights for the entire team management and players to analyze and prepare effectively for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.
The Men in Blue tried different combinations to assess the suitability of each player within a winning combination. We saw Ishan Kishan adapting to the team’s requirements, a great sight. KL Rahul performed brilliantly with a classic century against Pakistan, and he was equally proficient behind the stumps. Shreyas Iyer, despite being given chances in the Asia Cup, was unlucky not to make a significant impact.
Some interesting records during this final match against Sri Lanka include:
- Siraj achieved his 50th ODI wicket in 1002 deliveries.
- India took 6 wickets for the first time within 10 overs in an ODI, and that too in a final match.
- Siraj became the 2nd bowler to take 6 wickets in Asia Cup after Mendis.
- Siraj’s figures of 6 for 21 became the best by any bowler against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
- Siraj’s figures of 6 for 21 became the best by any Indian pacer in an ODI final, second only to Anil Kumble’s 6 for 12 in the Hero Cup during 1993.
Many Indian cricketers, including the God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly, congratulated the Indian team on their historic victory in the Asia Cup Finals over Sri Lanka.