5 Most memorable Asia Cup moments

2. Mendis destroys India in the final – Asia Cup 2008:

Ajantha Mendis was ‘the first’ modern mystery bowler to bamboozle batsmen in 2008. He especially tormented the Indians during that period. His best came against the Indians in the finals of the Asia Cup 2008.

Sri Lanka batted first after India put them in and made 273 all out. Sanath Jayasuriya made a brilliant 125 and Dilshan made 56 to take Sri Lanka to a good total. The pitch at the National Stadium, Karachi was not meant to turn much and play out evenly. But India, unfortunately, ran into a rampaging Ajantha Mendis.

The Indian batsmen had no idea where the ball would turn and this made them play wrong shots to most of Mendis’ delivery. He picked up 6/13 and most of his wickets were top order batsmen. Only Sehwag who got 60 and Dhoni who scored 49 showed some defense or aggression against his bowling.

India were bowled out for 173 in the 40^th over and lost the final match by 100 runs. Ajantha Mendis was declared both the Man of the match and Man of the series.

It was not just Mendis, quite a few Rookies have troubled India – 10 Rookie bowlers who thumped India