The mighty India clinched the Asia Cup 2023 title at the at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September, Sunday, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. India delivered a performance that'll be etched in the memory of cricket aficionados for the years to come. The Rohit's brigade recorded an emphatic 10-wicket triumph against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final which was nothing short of spectacular.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka could not withstand the might of the Indian pacers and were bundled out for a mere 50 in 15.2 overs. Mohammed Siraj's masterclass with the ball was the highlight of the game. He clinched a 6-wicket haul, even equalling Chaminda Vaas's record by bagging 5 wickets in a mere 16 balls – the fastest in ODI history. Alongside Siraj's brilliance, Hardik Pandya took 3 wickets while Jasprit Bumrah claimed one. The early dismissal of Kusal Perera by Bumrah set the stage, after which Siraj's artistry with the swinging ball, coupled with Hardik's efficiency, led to Sri Lanka's downfall.
This dominance in the Asia Cup came at a crucial time for Team India. Prior to the tournament, questions were raised concerning the form and fitness of some key players. However, such a resounding victory against Sri Lanka ahead of the World Cup, which begins on October 5, sends out a strong message.
After securing the Asia Cup trophy, Rohit Sharma couldn't hide his pride. He stated, "It was a great performance, especially to come and play like that in a final. Shows the mentality of the team. Our seamers are actually working really hard for many years, so it's pleasing for the side to see them rewarded like that. Very clinical. A performance like that will be cherished for a very long time."
This confidence-boosting win not only showcased the team's prowess but also underscored the hard work of the pace-bowling unit over the years. Surprisingly, all of Sri Lanka's wickets were taken by pacers, with Siraj's figures standing as the joint 3rd-best in an ODI innings.
Reflecting on the exceptional ball movement, Sharma added, "I never thought the ball was going to be doing that much, again it comes back to the skillset of the individuals. That's very rare, you don't see many guys who can move it in the air and off the pitch. And the other guys also who took part at various stages, they all played their part. We took all we can from this series, quite pleasing to move in this direction with this kind of confidence."
With momentum on their side, India is set to play a 3-match ODI series against Australia from September 22 to 27, followed by their World Cup opener against the same team on October 8.
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