Mohammed Siraj, India’s star turn in the Asia Cup final, expressed his gratitude to fate after a stellar bowling performance demolished Sri Lanka for a mere 50 runs at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. He described the experience as surreal.
“Feels like a dream,” Siraj told Star Sports after the game, and a spell of 6 for 21 that was the second-best in Asia Cup history. “Last time, I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, but couldn’t get the five-for. Realised you get what’s in your destiny. Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today, it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive.”
Siraj unleashed his devastation by claiming four wickets in just his second over, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva. He later secured the crucial wickets of Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka as well.