Asia Cup 2023: Skilful Jasprit Bumrah sets up Kusal Perera for nought

The 2023 Asia Cup final between India and Sri Lanka commenced at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 17. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first. However, rain played spoilsport as the match was delayed for almost 40 minutes.

India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah provided a major breakthrough for the side in the very first over as he dismissed opener Kusal Perera for a two-ball duck. The 29-year-old bowled an outswinger, and the batter attempted to drive without any foot movement and nicked it towards the slips, but it was wicketkeeper KL Rahul who completed the catch as he dived to his left.

BOOM 🔥@Jaspritbumrah93 strikes in the very first over! ⚡️

Kusal Perera departs as @klrahul takes the catch 👌

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/xrKl5d85dN#AsiaCup2023 | #TeamIndia | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/mYGLNm1T3U

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2023

Siraj, Hardik star as India bundle out Sri Lanka for 50 runs

Team India restricted Sri Lanka to a paltry score of 50 runs in 15.2 overs, thanks to Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya's exceptional bowling performances. Star speedster Jasprit Bumrah provided India's first breakthrough in the first over, dismissing opener Kusal Perera for a two-ball duck.

Later, Siraj came in and removed Pathum Nissanka for a paltry score of just two runs in the first ball of the fourth over of the game. The 29-year-old continued his fine form, dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka in two consecutive deliveries in the same over as Sri Lanka lost their four batters for just eight runs.

He missed a hat-trick but managed to add another wicket to his name in the final ball of the over. This time, he sent Dhananjaya de Silva back to the pavilion as the batter was caught behind the stumps. The right-armer further removed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, respectively, to make it six. Later, Hardik claimed a three-wicket haul, dismissing Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, and Matheesha Pathirana.