From Colombo to Sharjah to Mirpur, India's emphatic triumphs in Asia Cup finals reveal a history of command and control
It’s finally here. For the first
time in 41 years of the Asia Cup, India and PAK will face each other in a grand final. Two neighbours, two cricketing giants, but never before have they contested the summit clash of Asia's premier event. India, eight-time champions, enter this final with the aura of serial winners.
PAK, twice crowned, seeks to rewrite the script. But if history offers any clues, India in the Asia Cup finals has often been unstoppable - dismantling opponents with authority. Let's revisit some of India's most dominant Asia Cup final victories, the matches that stamped their supremacy on the subcontinent.
Eden Gardens, 1991 - Azharuddin's flourish seals the deal
It was a cold January evening at Eden Gardens, and Sri Lanka's 204/9 looked respectable in a 45-over match. Kapil Dev's economical spell (4/31) had restrained them, and the chase was effortless.
Credit: Cricket.com
Sanjay Manjrekar's steady 75 formed the foundation, Sachin Tendulkar scored 53, but it was Mohammad Azharuddin's brilliant 54* off 39 balls that made the innings dazzling. India reached 205/3 with 17 balls remaining - a 7-wicket victory that set the stage for a clinical final.
Sharjah, 1995 - Azhar and Sidhu crush Sri Lanka
Under desert lights, India chased 231 as if it were a warm-up target. After Sachin Tendulkar’s fluent 41, Navjot Sidhu and Azharuddin orchestrated a symphony. Sidhu’s 84* was the steady hand, while Azhar dazzled with 90* off 89 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes.
Credit: Cricket Times
The chase ended in the 42nd over — an eight-wicket win with 49 balls remaining. Sharjah had witnessed India at their most imperious, winning with a mix of calm assurance and audacious strokeplay.
Dambulla, 2010 - India's new generation flex
Sri Lanka, at home, were the favourites. However, India’s 268/6, built on Dinesh Karthik’s underappreciated 66, proved insurmountable. Virat Kohli contributed, Dhoni guided, and Rohit Sharma added 41.
Credit: ESPN
Then came the decisive moment: Ashish Nehra’s 4/40 dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting. Bundled out for 187, they lost by 81 runs. For India, this marked the passing of the torch — a young Kohli and Rohit making their mark in a final that India completely dominated.
Mirpur, 2016 - Dhawan and Dhoni finish it in style
The rain had reduced the T20 Asia Cup final to 15 overs a side. Bangladesh posted 120/5 — a challenging target on paper. But Shikhar Dhawan’s graceful 60 off 44 balls, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 41, and MS Dhoni’s rapid 20* off 6 balls mocked it.
Credit: ESPN
India comfortably reached the target in 13.5 overs, winning by eight wickets. Dhoni’s six over square leg to seal victory was symbolic: ruthless, conclusive, inevitable.
Colombo, 2023 - Siraj's spell from the heavens
If one match epitomised India’s dominance, it was the 2023 final in Colombo. Sri Lanka batted first, and within minutes the game was over. Mohammed Siraj bowled an extraordinary spell: 6/21 in just 7 overs, dismantling the opposition for a mere 50.
Credit: ESPN
Hardik Pandya contributed with 3 wickets, but it was Siraj’s mastery of swing that left Sri Lanka stunned. India chased the target in 6.1 overs, winning by 10 wickets with 263 balls remaining — the most decisive final in Asia Cup history.
