Page 50 - The Indian EYE 092223

SPORTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 | The Indian Eye 50

ASIA CUP 2023

Fire & spice: How Siraj led India to a

victory to boost World Cup chances

India captured its eighth Asia Cup title and Siraj took home the ‘Player of the Match’

award. Kuldeep Yadav (nine wickets) was given the ‘Player of the Series’ award for his
bamboozling spin bowling in the tournamenta

OUR BUREAU Indian team poses for a picture with the Asia Cup 2023 Trophy, at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (ANI)
Mumbai
fore they go for their final assignment before the Sri Lanka opted to bat first. But Siraj soon
eam India has returned home following ICC Cricket World Cup in October, which is a made them regret this decision as Lanka was re-
their eighth Asia Cup title win after beating three ODI series against Australia from Septem- duced to 13/6 at one point as he took four wick-
TSri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final at Co- ber 22 onwards at home. ets in an over. Kusal Mendis (17) and Dushan
lombo on Sunday. Hemantha (13*) swung their bats for a while, of-
After speedster Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, Ishan fering tiny moments of respite. Siraj ended with
decimated Sri Lanka, the opening duo of Shub- Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, all-rounder Hardik 6/21 in his seven overs while Pandya took 3/3 in
man Gill and Ishan Kishan’s flawless fifty-run 2.2 overs. Bumrah got 1/23 in five overs. SL was
partnership helped India win the Asia Cup for the Pandya, and pacer Jasprit Bumrah were bowled out for 50 in 15.2 overs.
eighth time. some of the players snapped at the Kalina Ishan Kishan (23*) and Shubman Gill (27*)
Having finished the match in less than three chased down the target in 6.1 overs without any
hours, the players returned to India early Monday Airport in Mumbai. loss of wicket.
morning. Now they will have some time to rest be- Continued on next page... >>

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