Team of the Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma, leading the Indian team, has secured his second significant international title as captain.

After a comfortable ten-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, the Asia Cup 2023 champions are none other than Team India. This impressive win notches up their eighth Asia Cup title and adds to their growing collection of multinational tournament trophies since 2018. Here is the Team of the tournament.

Shubman Gill

The standout performer in white-ball cricket in the year 2023, Shubman Gill, has consistently delivered entertainment and runs throughout the tournament. Although he had a somewhat uncertain beginning against Pakistan, Gill managed to regain his form as the competition unfolded, amassing an impressive total of 302 runs at an impressive average of 75.50. This outstanding performance included a resilient 121-run innings against Bangladesh and two half-centuries. As a result, he is the tournament’s leading run-scorer and appears to be in excellent touch at the top of the order as he prepares for the upcoming World Cup.

Rohit Sharma (C)

Rohit Sharma, leading the Indian team, has secured his second significant international title as captain, demonstrating both his leadership prowess and batting brilliance. In 5 innings, he amassed a total of 194 runs with an impressive average of 48.50 while opening the innings. This remarkable performance included three half-centuries, all achieved at a strike rate of 107.78. His innings of 53 runs against Sri Lanka in a closely contested, low-scoring thriller stood out as his most exceptional contribution during this tournament.

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis, the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, has been a dependable presence at the top of the batting order for Sri Lanka. He has notched up a total of 270 runs at an impressive average of 45, registering three half-centuries in the process. Among his standout performances, one of the most notable was his innings of 91 runs off 87 balls in a critical run chase against Pakistan, earning him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match in that particular game.

KL Rahul (WK)

Rahul’s most recent appearance in competitive cricket was on May 1st. He initially faced a recovery period at the start of the tournament but returned to the playing eleven on short notice for the match against Pakistan. In that game, he delivered one of the most impressive comeback performances, unleashing a scintillating innings of 111 runs from 106 balls against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack. Throughout the tournament, he accumulated a total of 169 runs at an outstanding average of 89.50. Additionally, Rahul took on the role of wicketkeeping for India and showcased his skills by taking some remarkable catches behind the stumps.

Najmul Hossain Shanto

Shanto made a remarkable start to the tournament by amassing 193 runs in just two games, boasting an impressive average of 96.50. His consistent performance began with a steady 89-run inning against Sri Lanka, followed by a stunning knock of 104 against Afghanistan, which garnered considerable attention. He seemed poised to be one of the tournament’s surprise stars. Regrettably, his tournament took an unfortunate turn when he sustained a hamstring injury while batting against Afghanistan. This injury prevented him from taking the field, as he was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

Charith Asalanka

Asalanka‘s performance in the tournament was commendable, contributing both with the bat and ball for Sri Lanka. He managed to accumulate a total of 179 runs with the bat, maintaining a solid average of 44.75, and also notched up a half-century. His standout batting display occurred in a crucial match against Pakistan, where he played a match-winning innings of 49 runs from 47 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to the tournament finals. On the bowling front, Asalanka’s contributions proved valuable for Sri Lanka, as he secured four wickets at an impressive average of 4.75. His most notable bowling spell was a remarkable 4/18, which he achieved against India.

Dunith Wellalage

Dunith Wellalage, a promising 20-year-old, left a significant impression during the tournament, hinting at a bright future in Sri Lankan cricket. He showcased his exceptional skills against formidable teams in the competition, especially against the big names. Wellalage’s performance included an impressive tally of 10 wickets at an average of 17.9 and an economical bowling rate of 4.26. One of his standout moments came when he picked up a remarkable 5/40 against India, dismantling their top-order, which included renowned batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, with apparent ease. In the same match, he also displayed his batting prowess, contributing a valiant 42 runs. As a result of his all-round performance, he was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match title. Wellalage’s emergence on the cricketing scene holds promise for Sri Lankan cricket in the years to come.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

The leading Pakistani pacer entered the tournament with unwavering momentum, showcasing his prowess on the field. He impressively secured 10 wickets at an average of 23.50. His standout performance was marked by exceptional bowling figures of 4/35, which he achieved against India. Shaheen Afridi appears to be in excellent form as he gears up for the impending World Cup.

Kuldeep Yadav

The Man of the Series, Kuldeep Yadav, delivered a remarkable tournament marked by his outstanding bowling performances. Despite bowling only 29 overs throughout the event, his impact was truly impressive. Kuldeep managed to capture 9 wickets at an exceptional average of just 11.44, maintaining an economy rate of just under 3.7. His most memorable and match-winning spell occurred against Pakistan, where he effortlessly dismantled their batting lineup, playing a pivotal role in India’s biggest victory over Pakistan in one-day cricket. He carried his impressive form forward in a low-scoring encounter against Sri Lanka, where he secured another 4 wickets, effectively guiding Team India to the finals. Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling prowess was undoubtedly a standout feature of the tournament.

Mohammed Siraj

In the Asia Cup final, an Indian pacer produced a spell that will be etched in his memory forever. He secured a remarkable 5-wicket haul in just 16 deliveries, with an astonishing feat of taking 4 wickets in a single over, showcasing his incredible talent. This spell propelled him to his personal best figures of 6/21 in seven overs, completely dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, which could only muster a paltry 50 runs on the scoreboard. Mohammed Siraj‘s phenomenal performance in the final earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award. Throughout the tournament, he was exceptional, bagging a total of 10 wickets at a remarkable average of just 12.20. Siraj, who had a relatively modest start to the competition, concluded it with a truly magical and unforgettable spell.

Matheesha Pathirana

Indeed, we’ve witnessed the rise of a sling-action bowler once again claiming the title of the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, a familiar occurrence from the past. Pathirana, an impressive 20-year-old fast bowler, displayed remarkable skills throughout the competition. He impressively secured 11 wickets at an average of 24.55, underlining his critical role for Sri Lanka, especially during the middle overs and at the death of innings. Pathirana wrapped up the tournament as the top wicket-taker, marking this as his breakthrough performance on the international stage.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (12th Man)

The middle-order Sri Lankan batsman had a fantastic tournament, amassing a total of 215 runs at an impressive average of 35.83. This achievement positioned him as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. He recorded two half-centuries during his campaign, with the highest being a remarkable 93 runs scored off just 74 deliveries against Bangladesh. His outstanding performance in that particular game earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.