Asia Cup 2023: ‘Pacers’ performance a confidence boost ahead of World Cup’ - Rohit Sharma

India’s crushing victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday for their eighth Asia Cup crown with a bowling masterclass from Mohammed Siraj gives skipper Rohit Sharma confidence ahead of the World Cup.

Siraj returned figures of 6-21 as India bundled out Sri Lanka for 50 in 15.2 overs and won the lop-sided final by 10 wickets in Colombo.

Indian bowlers led by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Kuldeep Yadav stood out in the 50-over tournament, which served as a tune-up for the ODI World Cup starting October 5 in India.

“It gives us a lot of confidence to come here and win a tournament like this,” Rohit told reporters after the title win came in just 116 minutes of play.

“At various stages of the tournament we were challenged in different parts of our game and we stood up to those challenges against various conditions, various bowling types.”

He said, “We can take a lot of positives from the tournament, not just for one or two players but for the entire squad. They did their job.”

Sri Lanka elected to bat first but play started after a rain delay and Siraj made most of the pitch and the overcast conditions to pick four wickets in one over.

Siraj was named man of the match...

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