Asia Cup 2023 Final: India Make Huge Changes To Playing XI Against Sri Lanka, Name Surprise Inclusion

17.09.2023 - 09:35 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian cricket team made six changes to the playing XI from the side that lost the Super 4 match against Bangladesh as the Rohit Sharma-led side take on Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final on Sunday.

Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj made their way back to the side while Washington Sundar was included in place of the injured Axar Patel.

Patel played an impressive knock of 42 against Bangladesh but ended up suffering a left quadriceps strain. "Would have batted first too, looks like a dry pitch.

We are confident of chasing down whatever Sri Lanka put on the board. This is a good chance to go aggressive with the ball and see what the surface has to offer.

cricket Sri Lanka Cricket Team India Cricket Team cup Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Kuldeep Yadav Mohammed Siraj Axar Patel Washington India Sri Lanka Bangladesh

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a sensational comeback to the Indian cricket team during the first ODI match against Australia on Friday but according to his Tamil Nadu teammate Dinesh Karthik, he could have made his comeback much earlier. During a recent interaction, the wicket-keeper batter revealed that he was considered as the replacement for the injured Axar Patel in the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka but Ashwin declined the call-up citing match fitness issues.

Mohammed Siraj Reclaims No. 1 Spot In ICC ODI Rankings After Asia Cup 2023 Final Heroics

Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj on Wednesday climbed eight places to reclaim the number one spot in the ODI bowler's rankings ahead of the ICC World Cup which begins on October 5. Siraj's onslaught in the Asia Cup final bundled out Sri Lanka on 50 and helped him top the bowling rankings chart. With the Asia Cup-winning spell of 6/21, Siraj has got back No 1 position which he lost in March this year to Josh Hazlewood.

Asia Cup 2023: "OK Google, Play Mohammed Siraj..." - Ex-India Star's 'Unplayable' Praise For Star Pacer Wins Internet

Mohammed Siraj was in the form of his life as he produced a devastating spell of pace bowling to guide India to the Asia Cup 2023 title on Sunday. Siraj finished with six wickets as the Rohit Sharma-led side defeated Sri Lanka comprehensively by 10 wickets. Siraj looked in brilliant from during the very beginning and he went right through the Sri Lankan top-order with four wickets in a single over. Former Indian cricket team opener Wasim Jaffer lauded Siraj for his effort and came up with a rather witty praise.

Watch: Jasprit Bumrah Produces Magical Delivery To Leave Sri Lanka Reeling In First Over During Asia Cup 2023 final

Jasprit Bumrah provided the Indian cricket team with a perfect start to the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka as he dismissed Kusal Perera on the third ball of the match on Sunday. The ball pitched on the middle stump and sharply swung outside tempting Perera to push at it. The left-hander could not stop himself and ended up edging it back to the wicket-keeper. KL Rahul was alert behind the stumps and he pulled off a good catch by diving full length to his left. It was a a brilliant start to the game and Mohammed Siraj followed it up with six wickets, bundling out Sri Lanka for 50.

Watch: W,0,W,W,4,W - Mohammed Siraj Leaves Everyone Stunned With Near-Perfect Over Against Sri Lanka

Mohammed Siraj produced a bowling spell to remember as he took six wickets including four wickets in a single over during the Asia Cup 2023 final between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday. The fourth over of the match saw Siraj concede just four runs and take four wickets but he narrowly missed out on a hat-trick. He started with the wicket of Pathum Nissanka who played a loose shot and Ravindra Jadeja pulled off a brilliant catch at backward point. Sadeera Samarawickrama played out the next ball but the third ball of the over proved to be his end as he was trapped LBW by a lethal in-swinging delivery.

Watch: Virat Kohli Can't Keep Calm As Mohammed Siraj Runs To Stop Boundary On Own Bowling Against Sri Lanka In Asia Cup 2023 Final

It was a truly special performance from Mohammed Siraj as he completed a sensational five-wicket haul that included four wickets in one over during the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka on Sunday. The Sri Lanka batters were left dumbstruck by the quality of Siraj's bowling as they had no answer for his disciplined display. After taking two wickets in the over, Dhananjaya De Silva connected with a full delivery from Siraj and with not many fielders in front of square, the fast bowler rushed towards the boundary and although he was not able to complete the save, his effort left Virat Kohli and his other teammates in splits.