4 lowest ODI totals India have restricted their opposition to ft. Asia Cup 2023 final
Team India came out all guns blazing in their final against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the decision backfired on the hosts as the Indian bowlers sliced through the top order in the first five overs.
Mohammed Siraj was the star of the show, picking up a five-wicket haul in only his third over and at one stage, the hosts were reduced to 12/6. There was considerable seam movement on offer as the Indian bowlers made the ball talk. Siraj ended with six wickets, while Hardik Pandya mopped up the tail with three scalps as Sri Lanka were knocked out for a mere 50 runs.
On that note, we take a look at the four lowest scores India has restricted their opposition to.
#4 73 - India vs Sri Lanka, 2022/23
Siraj was once again the wrecker-in-chief as he picked up four wickets to dismantle Sri Lanka for 73 in this match in Thiruvananthapuram. India batted first and courtesy of Virat Kohli's stunning 166, posted 390/5 in their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka never got going in their chase and lost seven wickets for just 50 runs. Siraj starred with four wickests, while Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a couple to dismantle Sri Lanka for just 73 runs.
#3 65 - India vs Zimbabwe, 2005
MS Dhoni was making a name for himself and he smashed a blistering half-century and got good support from Yuvraj Singh to help India post 226 on a tough wicket in Harare.
The Indian bowlers clearly had enough and their defense was spearheaded by Irfan Pathan who picked up a five-wicket haul, including three out of the top five batters.
Ajit Agarkar also chipped in with four wickets as Zimbabwe never really had any hope and were knocked over for 65 runs to hand India a comprehensive win by 161 runs.
#2 58 - India vs Bangladesh, 2014
In 2014, Stuart Binny achieved a remarkable feat in ODI cricket, securing the title for the best bowling performance by an Indian. He accomplished this by picking up six wickets while conceding a mere four runs against Bangladesh.
This extraordinary achievement took place during a rain-affected match in Mirpur, where India managed to score only 105 runs in 25.3 overs. Stuart Binny's outstanding 6/4 overshadowed the debutant Taskin Ahmed's impressive 5/28, ultimately leading India to a thrilling victory.
#1 50 - India vs Sri Lanka, 2023
India took on Sri Lanka in the final of the 2023 Asia Cup and the Indian bowlers knocked over the hosts for just 50 runs. This was the lowest total in ODIs against India. Apart from this, it was also Sri Lanka's second-lowest total.
As far as time is concerned, it was the second-shortest innings by a full-member nation. Siraj was the wrecker-in-chief as by the end of his second over Sri Lanka was reduced to 12/5. The Lankans were eventually bowled out for 50 in 15.2 overs.
He ended his spell with figures of 6/21 off seven overs. It was the second-best figure by a bowler in the Asia Cup finals.