Mohammed Siraj turns the Asia Cup final on its head, leading India to a 10-wicket win. Find out why this puts seasoned pro Shami on the bench.
In a masterful display of cricket, India steamrolled Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final, winning by a staggering 10 wickets. The match, held in Colombo, saw the Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma take control from the very start. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone by taking a wicket in the initial deliveries, and Mohammed Siraj followed suit, decisively tipping the game in India's favor by the end of the fourth over.
Siraj bowled a scoreless first over and then took an astounding four wickets in his second over. By the end of just four overs, Sri Lanka was already down half its team with a measly 12 runs. Siraj continued his stunning performance, finishing with an impressive 6/21 in seven overs.
His efforts were pivotal in dismissing Sri Lanka for just 50 runs in 15.2 overs, setting the stage for an easy win. The batting duo of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill effortlessly completed the chase in only 6.1 overs.
The decision to choose Siraj over the seasoned Mohammed Shami for this crucial match paid off handsomely. Irfan Pathan, a former Indian all-rounder, weighed in on why an experienced bowler like Shami was left on the bench. According to Pathan, the exceptional late swing and control exhibited by Siraj justified his inclusion over a bowler of Shami's caliber, who's also known for his wicket-taking abilities.
During a Star Sports discussion, Pathan lauded Siraj's exceptional performance, mentioning that while the Sri Lankan batters could have fared better, it was Siraj's bowling prowess that compelled them to make mistakes. Pathan also praised Siraj's bowling length, noting that he predominantly bowled in the slot—around the four-meter length—which proved highly effective with the new ball.
In summary, Siraj's remarkable bowling in the Asia Cup final not only won him accolades but also presented a compelling case for his inclusion in the team, even when it means sidelining seasoned players like Shami. It was a day of special performances, and as Pathan noted, what Siraj achieved was "extremely special."