Oscar-Winning Director Shares Touching Message for Mohammed Siraj

image-lmoehw3gSS Rajamouli praises Siraj for his outstanding performance | Source: X.com

Team India has crowned Asia Cup 2023 champions on the back of an outstanding fast-bowling performance by their pacers. Mohammed Siraj was the chief architect of India's one-sided victory, as he ran through Sri Lanka's top order in the final. 

Sri Lanka's batting faltered big time as they got bundled out for a mere 50 runs in 15.2 overs. This not only marked their lowest score against India but also the second-lowest ever recorded. It was the fifth-shortest completed innings in terms of overs resulting in a team getting bowled out.  

As far as Siraj's performance is concerned, he claimed a six-wicket haul, out of which he grabbed four wickets in the fourth over of the match. 

His first ball saw Pathum Nissanka caught at point, and he continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka off the third and fourth balls, respectively. Samarawickrama fell lbw, while Asalanka was caught in the covers.

The Hyderabad pacer closed his magical over with the dismissal of Dhananjaya de Silva, caught behind on the final delivery. He wasn't done yet, as he returned in his next over to clean up Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka. 

Following his exceptional bowling spell, accolades have been streaming in from all corners of the world, with top movie director SS Rajamouli being the latest to heap praise on Siraj's stupendous performance. Rajamouli took to X [Formerly Twitter] to express his admiration. 


Here’s what SS Rajamouli wrote on X: 

“Siraj Miyan, Our Tolichowki boy shines at the Asia Cup final with 6 wickets…And has a big heart, running to long-on to stop the boundary off his own bowling… (sic)," said the Oscar-winning Director.



Siraj finished with the outstanding figures of 6/21, the best for a fast bowler in the Asia Cup history. The previous record was held by Aaqib Javed, who took 5/19 against India in Sharjah back in 1995. 

This is also the best performance by an Indian bowler in the continental tournament. The previous best was Arshad Ayub's 5/21 against Pakistan at Dhaka in 1988.