Rain and remorse, the dazzlers, and the unthinkable pace potency

India, which has established itself as the dominant force in the Asia Cup, solidified its supremacy by securing a convincing 10-wicket victory over a weakened Sri Lankan side at the R. Premadasa stadium on Sunday. This resounding triumph over what was undeniably the second-best team in the competition reaffirmed the occasional ferocity of cricket, as many critics have pointed out. Putting all doubts to rest, India demonstrated their exceptional teamwork and skill.

The Asia Cup 2023 title says much about their combination of mental fortitude and remarkable presence of mind that the eight-time champions surprised no one in reserving one of their most devastating performances in a one-dayer. The Indian fans, who have had a magnificent contribution to the tournament in terms of supplying most of the noise and passion in its later stages, cheered their team to the end and created distinct echoes of Mumbai and Delhi in the finest moments of India's success.

The continental showpiece lit up our flickering TV screens with high quality play, highlights, lowlights, timidity and a mass of other notables. Mid-Day looks at five key moments from the tournament that one can praise, bewail and argue about.

Also Read: Siraj: It was a magical spell, never dreamt of it

Shaheen Shah Afridi's ‘pacy' rise to the top

The speedster, who inevitably models himself on former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, blew away the Indian batting lineup with his left-arm pace in a group match washed out due to rain. Rohit-Kohli were his victims, as fellow quicks Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah combined to bowl India out for 266 in the only innings possible in Pallekele. In any case, the 23-year-old accepts that this is only the start, and that his ‘best is yet to come'.

Siraj won't stop so soon

Before the Asia Cup hit the ground running, it was believed that fit-again Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami would spearhead the Indian pace bowling attack. But Rahul Dravid & Co. plumped for Mohammed Siraj, which in turn paid big dividends, as India head into the World Cup in two weeks.

Siraj returned his ODI best figures of 6-21 in a devastating spell of fast bowling against Sri Lanka in overcast conditions, to help bundle them out for a lowly 50 in 15.2 overs. Rarely has one witnessed such a calamitous opening spell by an Indian pacer in a one-dayer. To knock off as many as four top-order batsmen in a matter of six balls is indeed a rare feat. This spell will be etched into the annals of cricket history as it helped India clinch their record eighth Asia Cup in an overall 16 editions.

Dunith Wellalage ‘spins' magic

The 20-year-old has been on hand on more than a few occasions to extricate his side from a tricky situation and already the softly-spoken Wellalage, who grabbed the key wickets of Rohit and Kohli, looks like possessing an extremely mature head on his young shoulders. He did not take long to catch the eye with a devastating spell of fast bowling in the must-win Afghanistan tie.

With his spectacular five-wicket haul in the Super Four match against India, Wellalage left an indelible mark on all those watching. And judging how well he coped with the inevitable pressure that comes with being expected to bowl your side to victory on a surface favouring prodigious batters, Wellalage certainly looks like being one for the future.

‘Real' Sri Lankan heroes

The famous Sri Lankan fickle weather showed its true colours throughout the Asia Cup, causing disruption every now and then. Showers in Pallekele meant the blockbuster India-Pakistan match was abandoned, and rain followed the teams to Colombo in a Super Four game which was thankfully awarded a reserve day, much to the annoyance of both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh teams. The ground staff kept busy throughout the 13 matches played in Sri Lanka, as well as the days leading up to and between the matches.

The swift work of the men in trenchcoats and gumboots must be commended for a magnificent job, one that saw them braving the elements to have the playing surface in conditions acceptable for cricket to be played. Hailing them as ‘unsung heroes', Rohit and Kohli thanked the Sri Lankan groundsmen for their efforts and the ACC and SLC promised a $50,000 bonus shared between the staff.

Nepal shines on debut

Nepal showed that talent isn't the sole ingredient for success, showing what a bit of grit, pressurising fielding and counter-attacking mentality can achieve. Sure, things turned slightly upside down when Pakistan skittled out the cricketing minnows for 104 in the opener in Multan.

But Nepal made a statement against big guns India, when they posted 230 all out in 48.2 overs in a rain-hit group game. However, the Rohit Paudel-led side fought valiantly until the very end, but could not dislodge India's batting masterclass. If rain had stayed away, this victory would certainly not have come easy.

Asia Cup 2023: Team of the Tournament

Last but not least, the most contentious part of any review, here is Mid-Day's best 11 of the tournament:

● Rohit Sharma
● Shubman Gill
● Kusal Mendis
● Mohammad Rizwan
● Hardik Pandya
● Shakib Al Hasan
● Dunith Wellalage
● Kuldeep Yadav
● Mohammed Siraj
● Matheesha Pathirana
● Shaheen Shah Afridi