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Follow UsGenerally, the finals of the tournament happen between the two best teams. But on 17th September 2023, the Asia Cup Final had a different story.
In their previous encounter, Sri Lanka had defeated a strong Pakistan line-up, and India had suffered a loss against Bangladesh. Adding to that, the home team had lost only one ODI in their last 15. Clearly, the momentum was with Sri Lanka.
But when it comes to a knockout or a final, the previous momentum doesn't matter; it all comes down to that day. In that aspect, India prevailed, or better to say, annihilated their opposition.
India skittled Sri Lanka for a paltry score of 50 and finished the game with ten wickets in hand and a massive 263-ball margin. Undeniably, this makes it one of the most one-sided finals.
Well, this is not the first one-sided final to happen in ODIs. So, let's look at some other lopsided finals in the 50-over format:
SL vs IND in 2000, Sharjah
Sri Lanka won by 245 runs
A sweet revenge for India, perhaps?
Twenty-three years ago, between the same teams, it was a similar kind of result. However, India were at the receiving end. In the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka batting first posted 299/5. In reply, India were all-out for a mediocre total of 54, handing Sri Lanka a massive 245-run win.
Sanath Jayasuriya took the game away from them with the bat by scoring 189 off 161, and Chaminda Vaas pierced through the Indian batting order with a five-for (5/14 in 9.3). India's total of 54 was the lowest all-out total in an ODI final before today.
In any case, by runs margin, the victory margin of 245 by Sri Lanka in the 2000 Coca-Cola Champions Trophy is still the biggest in a tournament's final.
AUS vs PAK in 1999, Lord's
Australia won by 8 wickets and 179 balls
The 1999 World Cup Final was probably the start of the Australian domination era.
Australia reached the finals with good fortune, or maybe South Africa mugged it up. But, in the finals, they were thoroughly prepared.
Opting to bat, Pakistan were bundled out for 132, the lowest-ever World Cup Final total. With a spell of 4/33, Shane Warne was the hero with the ball. None of the Pakistani batters scored above 25.
Australia chased the target in just 20.1 overs, losing two wickets. Adam Gilchrist smashed a 33-ball half-century. In the end, Australia won by 179 balls remaining, the biggest in a World Cup Final.
AUS vs IND in 2003, Johannesburg
Australia won by 125 runs
The final of the 2003 edition of WC is the perfect example of a fantasy gone wrong. Australia were unbeaten throughout the tournament, and India had lost twice, both to Australia.
However, the top two teams of Pool A (India & Australia) and the toppers of the Super Sixes were in the finals. So, a feisty contest was expected. The coin favored the Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, the only thing that favored India.
Matthew Hayden and Gilchrist started the onslaught by forging a 103-run partnership in just 14 overs. Then came Ricky Ponting and the rest everyone knows. The Australian captain smashed 140 from 121 balls, propelling the total to 359/2 in 50 overs.
Apart from Virender Sehwag (82), none of the Indians got going and succumbed to a 125-run defeat.
PAK vs SL in 2002, Sharjah
Pakistan won by 217 runs
The Triangular series of the Middle East (Sharjah Cup) was between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Sri Lanka topped the table with three wins out of four, and Pakistan won two out of four.
In both the Group Stage matches, Sri Lanka had trounced Pakistan. In the final, Muttiah Muralitharan, their star bowler, suffered a shoulder injury during the game. Which meant Sri Lanka were one bowler short. Pakistan batters cashed in and posted 295/6. Mohammad Yousuf, with a 131-ball 129, was the star with the bat.
In reply, Sri Lanka were packed off for just 78. The pace trio of Shoaib Akhtar (3/11 in 4), Waqar Younis (3/33 in 6.5), and Wasim Akram (2/33 in 6) wreaked havoc. Pakistan's win by 217 runs is still the second-biggest margin of win by runs.
AUS vs ENG in 2003, Sydney
Australia won by 10 wickets and 226 balls
The 2003 VB Series (Triangular) was played between Australia, England, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka bowed out of the final with six losses in eight matches. England made it through by the barest margin (three wins in eight).
The winner of the VB series was always decided in a best-of-three final. England, in the first final, suffered a demoralizing defeat. After electing to bat first, England were all-out for 117. The three pacers, Andy Bichel (4/18 in 7), Brett Lee (3/29 in 10), & Brad Williams (2/22 in 10), were too hot to handle.
The smashing Australian opening pair of Gilchrist (69 off 37) and Hayden (45 off 37) took just 12.4 overs to close the game. In the end, they handed England a massive defeat.
ENG vs SA in 2003, Lord's
England won by 7 wickets and 178 balls
England, South Africa, and Zimbabwe were the three teams participating in the NatWest Triangular Series 2003. England and South Africa went ahead for the finals.
In the final, the competition was expected to be even-steven. It was just an expectation, by the way.
Come the final, England's bowlers were too good. Put in to bat first, the hosts dismissed South Africa for just 107 runs. All England bowlers chipped in with a contribution. James Anderson had the highest wickets tally (3/50 in 10), but it was Darren Gough (2/9 in 7) and Andrew Flintoff (2/18 in 6.1) who troubled them the most. Ashley Giles contributed with two wickets (2/3 in 3).
Vikram Solanki was the highest run-scorer for England in that innings, with 50 from 58 balls. A collective performance saw them win the 2003 NatWest Series by seven wickets and 178 balls.
PAK vs IND in 2017, The Oval
Pakistan won by 180 runs
One of the greatest rivalries in cricket, India and Pakistan met in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final. By the evidence of how the previous encounter turned out between these two in that competition, India were the favorite.
Asking them to bat first, India would have had the centurion Fakhar Zaman (114 off 106) when he was on three if only Jasprit Bumrah hadn't overstepped. From there on, the left-handed opener was unstoppable. Pakistan hoisted a massive total of 338/4 in 50 overs.
The two Indian batters, Rohit Sharma (0) and Virat Kohli (5), who had been in sublime touch throughout the tournament, were undone by the left-arm pace of Mohammad Amir. Apart from Hardik Pandya (76 off 43), none of the other Indian batters could cross the 25-run mark.
In the end, India suffered a massive loss by 180 runs.
