India blow away Sri Lanka to clinch 8th Asia Cup title

India won their 8th Asia Cup trophy on Sunday when they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the summit clash on Sunday.

Openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan chased down the target of 51 with relative ease as Sri Lanka couldn’t do much to defend the total, the lowest in the ODI format of the Asia Cup.

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj produced a magical spell, 6 for 21, to decimate Sri Lanka for 50. His spell ensured that Lanka batted just 15.2 overs, and this was also their lowest ODI total against India.

Sri Lanka elected to bat first after winning the toss, despite heavily overcast conditions, and the match started 40 minutes after the scheduled 3 PM beginning.

The pacer became only the fourth bowler in ODI history to take four wickets in an over, and he matched former Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas as the fastest to a five-wicket haul in one-dayers.

However, the beauty of Siraj bowling was beyond mere numbers. He got into action after Jasprit Bumrah jettisoned Kusal Perera in the third ball of the first over – a regulation caught behind.

In conditions that resembled more London than Colombo, Siraj just had to pitch the ball in the right areas.

Siraj made his dance of destruction in the 4th over – 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6 balls. The victims were Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samaraiwickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva.

But Siraj was not done yet. He castled Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis with peaches to complete their destruction.

Once Siraj finished his spell, there was nothing left in the Lankan innings. Hardik Pandya applied the finishing touches, taking three wickets.

Source: The Indian Express