Mohammed Siraj on His Remarkable 6/21 Spell in Asia Cup 2023 Final: “You Get What Is Written for You”

In a historic performance that left cricket fans in awe, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj achieved a remarkable 6/21 spell during the final of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo. Speaking about his stunning achievement, Siraj humbly remarked, “You only get what is written for you.” 

Executing Line and Length 

Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, Siraj mentioned that his focus was not on chasing wickets but on executing his line and length effectively. He explained, “Last time also I took four wickets against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram but could not take five then. But I realized you only get what is written for you. I just tried to execute on my line and length, and that worked.” 

Siraj, known for his ability to generate swing, spoke about his journey in white-ball cricket and how he aimed to use swing as a weapon. He noted that in the Asia Cup final, he finally achieved the desired swing, causing the Sri Lankan batters to edge and mistime their shots. This crucial factor contributed significantly to his phenomenal performance. 

Wickets Galore 

During the final, Siraj orchestrated a Sri Lankan batting collapse by claiming four wickets in a single over, an achievement shared by only a select few bowlers in cricket history. His scalps included Pathum Nissanka, Sadira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva. Additionally, he dismissed Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, and Kusal Mendis, leaving no room for a recovery. Sri Lanka’s innings concluded at a paltry total of 50 runs in 15.2 overs. 

Siraj also shared insights into the pitch conditions during the final, emphasizing the importance of hitting the right length. He mentioned, “This wicket was such that you do not chase dismissals. Just hit the right length, and you get the wickets.” His ability to read and adapt to the pitch played a pivotal role in his record-breaking performance. 

Mohammed Siraj’s remarkable effort of 6/21 during the Asia Cup 2023 final marked the fourth-best spell by an Indian bowler in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). His five-wicket haul was achieved in just 16 balls, making him the joint-fastest to reach this milestone, alongside the legendary Chaminda Vaas.