India pacer Shardul Thakur and all-rounder Hardik Pandya were over the moon as the Men in Blue defeated Sri Lanka in a dominating performance in the final to become Asia Cup 2023 champions.
Sri Lanka had no answer for Indian pacers as Mohammed Siraj picked 6/21, bowling them out for just 50 runs. Hardik Pandya picked 3/3, while Jasprit Bumrah took one wicket. In reply, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan overhauled the target in 6.1 overs to give India a win by 10 wickets and their 8th Asia Cup title.
“It (the match) got over within the blink of an eye. Bumrah started well and what a spell it was from Siraj. It was a brilliant effort from his side. Hardik got those last three wickets. It was a clinical performance by the bowlers. Gill and Ishan got done with the chase.
I think it was more of a combination of how we are going to play in the World Cup. KL (Rahul) scoring that ton against Pakistan, what a comeback for him. We feel that we are a settled side, everyone is ready to showcase their skills,” Shardul Thakur was quoted by Star Sports after the match.
Hardik Pandya, who hastened the end of the Sri Lankan innings, said it was a “good toss to lose” because India too had thought of batting first in the wicket, which generated good movement for the pacers.
"It was a good toss to lose, we wanted to bat as well. I think our new bowlers, especially Siraj bowled well. He got it swinging and created a lot of chances. Nowadays in ODI cricket, the new ball has been swinging and we have been speaking about getting the most. The first few overs, the ball didn’t even hit the bat,” said the all-rounder.
India will have a few days of rest before facing Australia in a three-ODI series as a precursor to the World Cup 2023.
