Mohammed Siraj scalped six wickets against Sri Lanka© AFP
The complex questions that Mohammed Siraj asked during his dream spell of 6 for 21 were largely down to the simple things he was able to do perfectly on what turned out to be a Super Sunday for the Indian cricket team. Perhaps he was destined to experience a day like this, the Hyderabadi said. “Jitna naseeb mein hota hai wahi milta, aaj mera naseeb tha (You get what is in our destiny, today it was my destiny),” Siraj summed up the mood while speaking to the broadcasters mid-innings.
India chased down the 51-run target in just 6.1 overs to clinch their eighth Asia Cup title.
He specifically referred to the third ODI of Thiruvananthpuram during Sri Lanka’s tour of India, where he got four wickets early but could not get five-for as Sri Lanka folded for 73 while chasing a stiff 391.
“I did the same thing last time against Sri Lanka in Trivandrum. I got four wickets early but couldn’t get the five-for.” “I didn’t try too much today. I’ve always looked for swing in white-ball cricket and haven’t found much in the previous matches.
“But today it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. The swing I got on this wicket was so big that I tried to entice the batsman to get on the front foot and let him drive.
“If you don’t go for wickets you will be successful on this pitch. It was about staying on the same page and hitting the same area.
“I am so happy with my performance and this is a dream come true for me,” he added.
Sri Lanka chose to bat and found themselves completely at sea.
Jasprit Bumrah (5-1-23-1) started it all with a wicket on the third ball and then Siraj tore the opponent’s batting line up by taking four wickets in the fourth over alone.
He then came back and dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, completing his five-wicket haul in just his second over.
Later, Hardik Pandya (2.2-0-3-3) polished off the tail to bowl Sri Lanka out for 50.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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