Asia Cup 2023 – India Crushes Sri Lanka in Asia Cup Final with a Dominating 10-Wicket Victory
Colombo, September 17, 2023— The highly anticipated Asia Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Stadium turned out to be a one-sided affair, as India secured a resounding 10-wicket win. Despite the buzz surrounding Sri Lanka’s recent form, they crumbled under the pressure on their home ground.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat in the 50-over match, creating expectations of an intense contest. Regrettably, their performance fell far short of expectations as they were dismissed for just 50 runs before completing even 20 overs.
Kusal Mendis emerged as the sole Sri Lankan batsman to make a substantial impact, tallying 17 runs from 34 balls before falling to Mohammed Siraj. Dushan Hemantha remained unbeaten with 15 runs, but the remaining Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to make a meaningful impression.
On the contrary, India’s bowlers displayed a brilliant performance. Mohammed Siraj was the standout player of the match, taking 6 wickets while conceding a mere 21 runs in his 7 overs. All-rounder Hardik Pandya also made a significant contribution, securing 3 wickets and giving away only 3 runs in 2.3 overs. Jasprit Bumrah added to the tally with 1 wicket, conceding 23 runs in his 5 overs.
In pursuit of a very short target of just 51 runs, India’s opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Shubhman Gill led their team to an effortless victory without losing a single wicket. Shubhman Gill’s unbeaten 27 runs from 19 balls, coupled with Ishan Kishan’s 23 not out from 18 balls, ensured India’s triumph in just the 7th over.
Sri Lanka’s lacklustre display left their loyal supporters in Colombo disheartened, particularly given the significance of the Asia Cup trophy. This loss serves as a much-needed wake-up call for Sri Lanka as they gear up for the impending 2023 Cricket One Day World Cup, scheduled to commence in October. Meanwhile, the Indian team demonstrated their preparedness for the World Cup whereas they also have an upcoming 3-match ODI series against Australia, slated for later this month.
