India thrash SL to win eighth Asia Cup title: Stats
India thrashed Sri Lanka in Colombo to win their eighth Asia Cup title. The Men in Blue chased down a paltry 51, with openers Shubman Gill and Ishan getting them home in 6.1 overs. Earlier, Mohammed Siraj ripped through SL's batting order as they perished in 15.2 overs. Notably, Rohit Sharma is now the second Indian captain to win successive ODI Asia Cup titles.
A look at the match summary
SL skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, while Siraj took four overs in an over to reduce SL to 12/6. Hardik Pandya then took three wickets as the Lankan innings folded for a mere 50 (15.2). Ishan and Gill came out all guns blazing as India chased it down in the first Powerplay.
India clinch eighth title
The Asia Cup made its debut in 1984. However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has switched between the ODI and T20I formats of late. India are now the most successful side in the Asia Cup in terms of titles (Eight: 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2023). SL have clinched six titles (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, and 2022).
India's biggest win in ODIs
India won the match by as many as 263 balls, their biggest win in ODI cricket (in terms of balls). Their previous biggest win came against Kenya in 2001 (by 231 balls). The one at the R Premadasa Stadium is just the third 10-wicket win in ODI finals. Notably, India were involved in another such win (197/0 vs Zimbabwe, Sharjah, 1998).
Lowest-ever ODI total against India
Sri Lanka recorded the lowest-ever total by a side against India in ODI cricket. They surpassed Bangladesh, who were bundled out for 58 against India in Mirpur in 2014. This is also the second-lowest total for SL in ODIs. They recorded a mere 55 against West Indies in 1986. Notably, 43 against South Africa in 2012 remains their lowest ODI total.
Siraj enters record books
Siraj perturbed SL with his thunderbolts early on. His first over was a maiden as he swung the ball away. The right-arm pacer then dismissed Pathum Nissanka (first ball), Sadeera Samarawickrama (third), Charith Asalanka (fourth), and Dhananjaya de Silva (sixth) in his next over. Siraj, who conceded just four runs until then, became the first Indian to take four wickets in an over (ODIs).
Joint-quickest fifer in ODIs
On the fourth ball of his next over, Siraj dismissed SL skipper Shanaka to register his maiden ODI five-wicket haul. He completed his fifer in just 16 deliveries, the joint-quickest for a bowler in ODI cricket. He equaled the record of Sri Lankan legend Chaminda Vaas, who took a fifer in 16 balls against Bangladesh in 2003.
Best bowling figures against SL in ODIs
Siraj's sixth wicket came in the form of Kusal Mendis (17). The former took 6/21 in seven overs, including a maiden. These are now the best figures against Sri Lanka in an ODI. He broke the record of Pakistan lagend Waqar Younis, who took 6/26 in Sharjah in 1990. Siraj's 6/21 are the third-best figures by an Indian seamer in ODIs.
Siraj completes 50 ODI wickets
After dismissing Asalanka, Siraj completed 50 wickets in ODI cricket. Siraj took 29 games to accomplish the 50-wicket mark in ODIs. He became the joint-fourth-fastest Indian to the milestone, sharing the spot with fellow pacer Mohammed Shami. Ajit Agarkar (23 matches), Kuldeep Yadav (24), and Jasprit Bumrah (28) are the ones ahead of him in this regard.
Other notable records scripted by Siraj
As per Kausthub Gudipati, Siraj has become the first Indian to take four wickets in an over in international cricket. Siraj has become the second-fastest to 50 ODI wickets in terms of balls. He took just 1,002 balls to get this feat. He is only behind Sri Lankan great Ajantha Mendis, who achieved this feat in just 847 balls.
More interesting numbers from the match
As per Cricbuzz, Siraj has become the first Indian to take more than four wickets in the first 10 overs in an ODI (since 2002). This is the first instance of India taking six wickets in the first 10 overs in an ODI. SL were 12/6, the joint second-lowest score at the fall of the sixth wicket in ODI cricket.
Lowest total in an ODI final
Only two teams have been bowled out for under 70 in an ODI final. Sri Lanka have joined India on the list. The Men in Blue were bowled out for 54 against the Lankans in the 2000 Champions Trophy final in Sharjah.
Second Indian captain to win consecutive Asia Cup titles (ODIs)
As mentioned, Rohit Sharma has become the second Indian captain to win consecutive ODI Asia Cup titles. Under him, India won the 2018 title by beating Bangladesh in the final in the UAE. Rohit joins former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, under whom India won the Asia Cup in 1991 and 1995. Notably, Pakistan did not participate in the 1991 edition.
