IND vs SL: Revealed - Whom Rohit Sharma Handed The Trophy And Offered Centre-stage After Winning Asia Cup 2023
Published - 17 Sep 2023, 11:01 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 09:49 AM
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won his second Asia Cup title as captain as the Men in Blue beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final on Sunday in Colombo.
India bowled out Sri Lanka for just 50 in 15.2 overs and chased down the target in just 6.1 overs to win the Asia Cup 2023 final. This happened after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a virtual semi-final heading into the final while India lost to Bangladesh in their last Super 4 match. However, India turned the tables on Sri Lanka in the big final.
Also Read: IND vs SL: Watch – Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli’s Celebration After India Win Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma was quick to acknowledge his team’s efforts in the post-match presentation. He highlighted the team’s clear focus heading into the final and how his players lived up to the billing.
“Yeah was a great performance. To come out and play like that in the final shows the mental character. Great start with the ball and clinical finish with the bat. I was standing in the slips, and something we take pride in – our seamers have been working really hard. Very very clear in their mind. It was good to see that,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference.
Rohit Sharma Praises Mohammed Siraj’s Spell
He also praised Mohd Siraj’s impressive bowling spell and lauded the Indian pacer for his exploits in Colombo. He took four wickets in just his second over and came back to take two more wickets. He got the ball to seam and swing both in the air and off the pitch.
“Siraj has to be given a lot of credit. Rare for seamers to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. He’s coming off age,” Rohit lauded his pace spearhead.
Meanwhile, at the post-match presentation, while the Indian team were seen doing their trophy celebrations, Rohit Sharma invited India’s throwdown specialists Raghavendra aka Raghu to join them. Rohit then handed over the trophy to Raghu, offered him the centre-stage was praised for his gesture.
Speaking about Raghu, he joined the Indian team as the throwdown specialist first during India’s 2011-12 tour of Australia before being dumped. He staged a comeback to the Indian team’s support staff for the 2014 tour to England and since then has been an integral part of the staff of the Indian team.
His dream to join the Indian team was fulfilled when he was inducted into the team as a ‘throwdown expert’ at the recommendation of cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who had faced his quick throwdowns at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
Blue Brigade Dominates: Asia Cup Conquered! ???#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/bQbfag0JOo
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 17, 2023
