Mohammed Siraj wrecks havoc as India win Asia Cup 2023

Srilanka won the toss and opted to bat first

First Innings:

Bumrah strikes early: Srilankan Captain Dasun Shanaka’s decision to bat first backfired immediately as Jasprit Bumrah struck early for India as he got the wicket of Kusal Perera for a duck.

Jasprit Bumrah struck for India early as he sent back Kusal Perera for a duck
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

But why did Srilanka lose an early wicket? While the pitch looked a belter to the naked eye, the overcast conditions could have been a reason for the swing and seam. Also the match started 40 minutes late due to rain and the pitch was under covers. So the moisture could have been a reason for the seam and swing.

The Mohammed Siraj show: After Bumrah struck in his first over, the Mohammed Siraj show followed. While his first over was a maiden, he took four wickets in his second over leaving Srilanka 12/5 after 4 overs. He took the wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva.

Mohammed Siraj (centre) took 4 wickets in his second over as Srilanka was left reeling at 12/5
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

But what was the reason for this collapse? Srilanka had only themselves to blame. After the loss of an early wicket, the batsmen should have respected the bowlers and they should have waited for the lose balls. Instead, they kept chasing wide deliveries and kept losing wickets. Siraj eventually finished with career best figures of 6/21 as he also took wickets of Captain Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis (who showed some resistance as he scored 17 runs).

Srilanka Captain Dasun Shanaka became Siraj's fifth wicket
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

When Siraj dismissed Kusal Mendis for 17, Srilanka's only hope for a comeback was also blown away
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

Hardik Pandya also joins the party: After Rohit Sharma removed Siraj from the attack after six consecutive overs, Hardik Pandya came into the attack and struck immediately. Srilankan batters had no answers to India’s bowlers with Hardik Pandya also taking 3 wickets. Apart from Kusal Mendis, Dushan Hemantha was the only one who went into double figures (13 not out) as Srilanka was bowled out for just 50 runs.

Hardik Pandya who replaced Siraj, also took 3 wickets
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

Second Innings:

India finish the game off in style: India this time opened with Ishan Kishan instead of Rohit Sharma while Gill was his partner and they had no problems in finishing the game off as India won by 10 wickets and won Asia Cup 2023.

Ishan Kishan opened with Gill this time and they finished the game without any worries as India won their 8th Asia Cup title
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2023-1388374/sri-lanka-vs-india-final-1388414/match-photo

But why was there no swing and seam available for the pacers in the second innings? The pitch seemed to have flattened out under lights and the ball was coming onto the bat nicely.

Could Srilanka have done anything different? They could have batted WAY better and they are a good team than what they displayed in the final. The only way they can come out of this hammering is by forgetting it as a bad day at the office and moving on. What were the positives for India in this Asia Cup?

KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah’s triumphant return to International Cricket was perhaps the biggest positive for them. Also Hardik bowling without any troubles in his back also ticks a big box for them. Are there any concerns for them? Ravindra Jadeja’s batting seems to be the only concern for them. In his last 10 innings, he has batted seven times but has not been able to make significant contributions. He also wasn’t able to do much in the Asia Cup as he scored only 25 runs in 3 innings at an average of 8.33 and India would want him to make runs in the upcoming series against Australia.

Brief Scores:

Srilanka- 50/10 (Kusal Mendis- 17, Dushan Hemantha- 13*, Mohammed Siraj- 6/21, Hardik Pandya- 3/3, Jasprit Bumrah- 1/23)

India- 51/0 (Shubman Gill- 27*, Ishan Kishan- 23*, Dunith Wellalage- 0/7, Charith Asalanka- 0/1)

Note- The credit for these images goes to espncricinfo.com. I do not own any of these images. These images have been used to show what happened during the match.