(Image source: X.com/@BCCI)
[Saba Sports News] After India won their eighth Asia Cup title, captain Rohit Sharma looked in cheerful mode, lauding his team for its thoroughly professional performance against Sri Lanka.
India completely decimated the hosts as their fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj outclassed six of Sri Lanka’s batters, completing his five-wicket haul which now stands as the joint-fastest (16 balls) in the history of ODI cricket.
Bowling out Sri Lanka for the 10th lowest total (50) in the ODIs, it remained a mere formality for India to lift the trophy that they eventually did by achieving a 10-wicket victory.
Crediting Siraj for setting up the win, Rohit while speaking in the post-match presentation said that it was a complete performance – the one they would cherish for a long time.
“Yeah was a great performance. To come out and play like that in the
final shows the mental character. Great start with the ball and clinical
finish with the bat. I was standing in the slips, and something we take
pride in – our seamers have been working really hard. Very very clear
in their mind. It was good to see that. Such a performance we will
cherish for a long time. I never thought it’s going to do that much.
Comes down to the skillset of individuals. Siraj has to be given a lot
of credit. Rare for seamers to move the ball in the air and off the
pitch. He’s coming off age,” Rohit said as quoted after the match.
Further emphasizing on all the positives that India gained from the tournament, the skipper added:
“We did everything we could’ve achieved as a team in this tournament.
Look forward to the series that is coming up in India, and then the
World Cup. The way Hardik and Ishan batted in that pressure situation
against Pakistan, and then KL and Virat getting hundreds. The way Gill
has been batting. Guys have stood up at various stages.”
India will now come back to their home turf to play a three-match ODI series against Australia, starting on September 22. This will be followed by the ODI World Cup 2023 which commences on October 5.