Sunil Gavaskar compares India's bowling with Pakistan after Asia Cup triumph

India battered Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday following a remarkable performance by the Blues' bowlers, especially Mohammad Siraj.

On a rainy day where the wicket was favouring pacers by providing swing, Siraj dismantled the Lankan batters as he recorded his career-best bowling haul of 6-21 in seven overs and guided India to a smooth victory.

Siraj's breathtaking spell — which was his first ODI fifer — included the wickets pf Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Dasun Shanaka.

The 29-year-old's heroics would bring much-needed confidence to India as the Cricket World Cup is just around the corner and will be played in their home.

After Siraj's astonishing spell, the comparisons began and similarly, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar did not take long before relating the Indian pacers' masterclass with Pakistani pacers.

Gavaskar was in awe of India's performance with the ball, he also mentioned Jasprit Bumrah as well who could only bag one wicket.

"Honestly, I can't recall when we had something like that. But it just tells you the quality of the new ball attack, that India have," he said while speaking to India Today.

"A lot of times, people talk about Pakistan's new ball attack. But I think this Indian new ball attack, with Bumrah coming back. Bumrah might not have got the wickets, but he kept the pressure on.

"Don't forget, we have someone like Mohammed Shami, who is not playing in the XI. So it just tells you that the reserve India has, as far as pace bowling is concerned."

Gavaskar then went to laud the Hero of the Match sayingthat Siraj is someone who always gives his best on the field.

"Siraj deserves all the praise. I also love the way everybody in the Indian team was laughing when he having taken those wickets, he chased the ball to the boundary. Just shows the energy of the man, the enthusiasm of the man to be totally involved. He is one of those cricketers, who gives every ball, everything", he further added.

It must be noted that the 29-year-old equalled former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas for the quickest ODI five-for, reaching the feat in just 16 balls. Vaas achieved the milestone against Bangladesh in 2003.

Siraj also completed 50 ODI wickets during the spell, reaching the milestone in his 29th ODI, the joint-fourth-quickest among all Indian bowlers.

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