COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Pacer Mohammed Siraj was the hero for India claiming career best figures of 6-21 while all-rounder Hardik Pandya took three wickets to bowl out Sri Lanka.
“Very pleased with the effort today,” said Siraj. “I have been bowling well since a long time. Was missing the edges earlier in the tournament but found the rhythm today.”
It’s the lowest total in an ODI final and Sri Lanka’s second lowest total after its 43 all out against South Africa in Paarl in 2011.
It was also Sri Lanka’s lowest total at home with the previous lowest being the 98 all out against South Africa at the same venue in 1993.
It is also the lowest total in the history of Asia Cups.
Jasprit Bumrah had opening batsman Kusal Perera caught behind for no score in the first over of the innings and then Siraj took over, claiming four wickets in his second over, becoming the first Indian bowler to do so.
Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva all fell in the space of six deliveries as Siraj wrecked Sri Lanka’s innings in a manic over.
Siraj then bowled captain Dasun Shanaka in his next over to reduce Sri Lanka to 12 for six. He had a sixth wicket by cleaning up Kusal Mendis.
Mendis’ 17 was the top scorer in Sri Lanka’s innings in a dismal display as five batters were dismissed without scoring.
Siraj’s six for 21 is now the fourth-best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket.