Asia Cup 2023, Final, India vs Sri Lanka: India lifts the Asia Cup title for a record eighth time

New Delhi: India became the champions of Asia Cup 2023, as they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets.

India came out for the chase with a brand new opening pair of Ishan Kishan and Subhman Gill, who always looked in no discomfort as they chased down the mere 51 runs targets set by Sri Lanka in just 6.1 overs.

INDIA won the ASIA Cup 8th Time. One of the Greatest Finals. Congratulations Bharat 🏆 🇮🇳

1. 🇮🇳 India → 8 titles
2. 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka → 6 titles
3. 🇵🇰 Pakistan → 2 titles #INDvsSL #AsianCup2023 #TeamIndia #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/dzbvqtxXC0

— ɅMɅN DUВΞY 🇮🇳 (@imAmanDubey) September 17, 2023

This is also India’s biggest win by the margin of balls left, i.e. with 263 balls left, surpassing 221 balls record against Kenya in 2001.

Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to bat first.

Indian bowlers made him regret his decision quickly as Jasprit Bumrah removed Kusal Perera (0) in his very first over.

Sri Lanka, however, got no chance to rest as Siraj’s historical 4 wickets over saw half the Lankan team walking back to the pavilion. Siraj, in his historic over, removed  Pathum Nissanka (2), Sadeera Samarawickrama (0), Charith Asalanka (0) and Dhananjaya de Silva (4).

Siraj also removed the skipper Dasun Shanaka (0) and in-form Kusal Mendis (17), to complete his career-best spell of  6 for 21 runs.

Hardik Pandya was India’s second most successful bowler with 3 wickets under his name, which includes back-to-back wickets in the end to put the Lankan batting order out of their misery.

Siraj, during the innings breaks, reflects on his dream spell by saying, ” Feels like a dream. Last time, I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, but couldn’t get the five-for. Realised you get what’s in your destiny. Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today, it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive.”

Batting (1st innings)

Sri Lanka: 50/10 (15.2 overs) Kusal Mendis 17 (34), Dushan Hemantha- 13* (15)

Bowling (1st innings)

India: Md. Siraj- 6/21 (7 overs), Hardik Pandya- 3/3 (2.2 overs)

Batting (2nd innings)

India: 51/0 (6.1 overs)- Ishan Kishan- 23* (18), Subhman Gill- 27* (19)

Bowling (2nd innings)

Sri Lanka: Wellalage 0/7 (2 overs)Madushan- 0/21 (2 overs)

Key moments:

• India defeats Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to lift Asia Cup 2023, title.

• Ishan to open the innings with Gill instead of Rohit.

• Hardik gets two wickets in two balls, as Sri Lanka castled on 50.

• Hardik Pandya removes Dunith Wellalage to give India their eighth success.

• Siraj claims his maiden fifer in ODI cricket.

• Siraj completes 50 wickets in ODI cricket.

• Md Siraj removed 4 wickets inside one over and became the first Indian to do so.

• Bumrah gives India a dream start as he removes Kusal Perera in the very first over.