Asia Cup 2023 Final: 'A performance we will cherish for a long time', says Rohit Sharma after India's title triumph

India captain Rohit Sharma said his team showcased mental character after the Men in Blue eased to a thumping 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka, in the final of the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo on Sunday. Mohammed Siraj (6/21) and Hardik Pandya (3/3) shared nine wickets between them, as Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating collapse in front of home fans at the R Premadasa Stadium, to be dismissed for just 50 runs after opting to bat first. In reply, Ishan Kishan (23*) and Shubman Gill (27*) made light work of the chase, to seal the deal in just 6.1 overs. This was India’s eighth Asia Cup title, and it comes as a boost for the team ahead of the ODI World Cup at home. “Yeah, it was a great performance. To come out and play like that in the final shows the mental character. Great start with the ball and clinical finish with the bat. I was standing in the slips, and something we take pride in - our seamers have been working really hard. Very very clear in their mind. It was good to see that. Such a performance we will cherish for a long time,” said Rohit at the post-match presentation ceremony. Rohit credited Siraj for his stunning display with the ball. “I never thought it’s going to do that much. Comes down to the skillset of individuals. Siraj has to be given a lot of credit. Rare for seamers to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. He’s coming off age. We did everything we could’ve achieved as a team in this tournament,” added the captain. Things are slowly falling into place for India ahead of the World Cup. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored a hundred each, so did Shubman Gill. Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan showcased showcased that they could perform well under pressure situations, during India’s group match against Pakistan, when they forged 138 runs for the fifth wicket. Rohit acknowledged his players for stepping up during various phases of the tournament. “Look forward to the series that is coming up in India, and then the World Cup. The way Hardik and Ishan batted in that pressure situation against Pakistan, and then KL and Virat getting hundreds. The way Gill has been batting. Guys have stood up at various stages,” added Rohit.