Asia Cup Final Review – Miyan’s Magic delivered as India lift 8th title

India and Sri Lanka met in the summit clash of the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo on Sunday, September 17. Fans were expecting a riveting contest between two of the most successful teams in the history of the competition. Defending champions Sri Lanka had the chance to equal India’s record of seven Asia Cup titles. However, the day turned out to be very far from what they would have anticipated.

Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first. The defending champions were rocked in the first over as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Kusal Perera off the third ball. From the other end, Mohammed Siraj put on a performance that will stand the test of time. The 29-year-old picked up a five-wicket haul after delivering just 16 balls.

Kusal Mendis was the only Sri Lankan batter who tried to battle it out but Siraj ended his 34-ball stay at the crease with a peach of a delivery. The 29-year-old pacer wreaked havoc with his ability to swing the ball both ways, eventually ending with a six-for. Hardik Pandya also finished with a three-for as India bundled out the hosts for 50.

In reply, Ishan Kishan was sent out to open with Shubman Gill. The two stylish cricketers played some delightful strokes and helped India get to the target in just 6.1 overs.

Best Performers of the match

Shubman Gill: The 24-year-old hit six boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 27 off 19 balls. One would have loved to see him bat a little longer but Sri Lanka did not score those many. The Punjab batter finished as the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 302 runs from six games at 75.50.

Mohammed Siraj: The right-arm pacer was on the money from the get-go and the Sri Lankan batters had no answer to his quality and relentlessness. He eventually finished with staggering figures of 6/21 in seven overs. In the tournament, he ended as India’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets in five games at 12.20.

What’s next for the two teams?

India will play a three-match ODI series at home against Australia. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be in action against Bangladesh in their first warm-up game of the 2023 ODI World Cup on Friday, September 29.