India celebrates World Cup ‘booster shot’ after Sri Lanka ‘battered’

Published September 18, 2023
India’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Asia Cup 2023 one-day international (ODI) final cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 17. — AFP
India’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Asia Cup 2023 one-day international (ODI) final cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 17. — AFP

India celebrated the 10-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final as “a booster shot” on Monday for the one-day World Cup starting on home soil in a fortnight.

Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj got four wickets in one over to help skittle Sri Lanka out for 50 on Sunday, a total the Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill surpassed in 6.1 overs.

It was India’s eighth Asia Cup crown but first major tournament title since winning the same competition in 2018.

“Siraj’s dream spell ended India’s five-year title drought,” The Times of India wrote.

The India Express called it a “Booster shot before World Cup” and praised what it called the team’s “clinical and ruthless” performance.

“Triumph lifts India’s morale… just in time for the mega-event,” it added, referring to the World Cup, which starts on October 5.

In the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, where the final took place, the mood was gloomy.

“Abject surrender of Asia Cup by Sri Lanka,” said a headline in the daily FT newspaper.

The home team were bowled out in just 15.2 overs with Siraj ripping through the Sri Lankan batting with his 6-21.

Sri Lanka were playing their 11th Asia Cup final but the 116-minute humiliation left fans disappointed and angry.

One fan complained in a video post on social media that Sri Lanka were all out even before he could get to his seat at the 35,000-capacity Premadasa stadium.

Another on social media said the Sri Lankan innings lasted less than the time taken to drink a bottle of arak, the island nation’s firewater spirit made from fermented coconut or sugarcane.

Colombo’s Daily Mirror said the final was a “mismatch between two opponents in completely different weight classes.

“As heavyweights India completely battered, bruised, bloodied and bashed-in Sri Lanka’s flyweight batting line-up for an emphatic 10-wicket win. “

Opinion

Editorial

Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...
The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...