Asia Cup 2023 Final: ‘Definitely my best spell,’ says Mohammed Siraj after decimating Sri Lanka with 6/21

India pacer Mohammed Siraj described his breathtaking performance against Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asia Cup final as his “best spell” yet. Siraj led the way with a devastating haul of 6/21, breaking the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting unit with four wickets in his second over, as the defending champions were bowled out for a paltry 50. IND vs SL, Asia Cup final: As it happened The Men in Blue would then chase down the target in just 6.1 overs to be crowned Asian champions for a record-extending eighth time overall and for a seventh time in the ODI format. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seamer, a new-ball specialist, removed Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva in his second over, with Samarawickrama and Asalanka departing in successive deliveries.

Record-breaking Siraj! 🤯@mdsirajofficial rewrites history, now recording the best figures in the Asia Cup!
6️⃣ for the pacer!

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#INDvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/2S70USxWUI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 17, 2023

This was right after Jasprit Bumrah drew first blood by getting Kusal Perera caught-behind in the very first over after Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka opted to bat. Read | Siraj blows away SL batters in Asia Cup final with record-making spell Siraj, who was later adjudged the Player of the Match, added that he had been bowling well for a while, but had managed to find the edges in Sunday’s showdown. “I have been bowling well for a while. The batters were getting beaten for the last two matches, today I found the edges. I just tried to hit the areas. The wicket was seaming for the last two matches, today there was swing so I tried to make the batters play as much as possible,” said Siraj, who ended up registering the best ODI figures against Sri Lanka, breaking Waqar Younis’ record in the process. Stats: Siraj surpasses Waqar’s feat; SL register lowest ODI total vs IND Siraj also explained his strategy that led to the Sri Lankan batters making one mistake after another and crumbling like a house of cards. “Because it was swinging, I thought of putting the balls up to the batters. The way I thought, I executed it and the plan was successful. “When the fast bowler’s bonding is so good that the pressure is created and we get wickets at the other end, it helps the team… Definitely my best spell,” Siraj added in the post-match presentation ceremony. Siraj also won hearts by dedicating the prize money awarded to the Player of the Match to the groundstaff, who have been on overdrive mode in the Sri Lanka leg of the Asia Cup due to erratic weather. “I want to give this cash prize to the groundsmen. They deserve it. If they were not around, this tournament would not have been successful,” added Siraj, handing over the cheque of US$ 5,000 to the groundsmen.