New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian men’s cricket team on winning the Asia Cup after Rohit Sharma & Co. thrashed Sri Lanka in the finals of the continental tournament at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (September 17).
“Well played Team India! Congratulations on winning the Asia Cup. Our players have shown remarkable skill through the tournament,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
Well played Team India!
Congratulations on winning the Asia Cup. Our players have shown remarkable skill through the tournament. https://t.co/7uLEGQSXey
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2023
India dominated the titular contest against Sri Lanka. While the home team had won the toss and elected to bat first, the Indian pacers led by Mohammed Siraj were on the money right from the first over in which Jasprit Bumrah removed Kusal Perera. However, it was Siraj who stole the show and the architect of the teams’s dominant victory. He bowled a maiden over first up after which he scalped four wickets in an over, eventually finishing with 6 for 21 from 7 overs. Hardik Pandy was the other wicket-taker and ended up figures of 3/3 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50 in 15.2 overs.
In the run chase, India sent a new-look opening pair with Ishan Kishan walking out to bat alongside Shubman Gill. Both the batters looked fluent and ensured that there are no hiccups on the way to their eighth Asia Cup title. While Kishan scored 23 off 18 deliveres, Gill made 27 off 19, both of them remaining not out till the end and seeing the side through till the end. Sri Lanka tried four bowlers in their 6.1 overs of bowling but none could take a wicket in a forgettable outing for Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis top-scored for Sri Lanka with 17 while five batters departed without scoring in what was a disappointing end to a promising campaign for Sri Lanka.
(With Inputs From PTI)
