Asia Cup 2023: Fiery Mohammed Siraj living the dream in India’s title triumph

Right before the Sri Lankan openers were due to walk out on to the field, the rain gods intervened and the covers came on. But unlike many of India’s other fixtures in the 2023 Asia Cup, Colombo was able to see the start of the highly-anticipated final between India and hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday. What followed though, was nothing short of incredible.

India’s ever-reliable fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were back in the side and had been asked to bowl first.

Bumrah’s first over was relatively expensive – seven runs, including a boundary. But he did pick up the wicket of Kusal Perera, inducing the opener to edge to KL Rahul behind the stumps.

Siraj conceded no runs in his first over, constantly troubling Kusal Mendis by bowling length deliveries and always trying to find that outside edge. That over from Siraj, was a sign of things to come.

Three overs in, Sri Lanka were looking very tentative and shaky on the crease – Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were not able to negotiate the Indian bowlers. Then came over No 4, where Siraj became the first Indian to pick up four wickets in an over.

It was a fiery spell that set India on...

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