In a scorching display of fast bowling, India’s Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj set the stage ablaze in their World Cup face-off against Sri Lanka. This ignited a pulsating contest, ultimately propelling the undefeated hosts to a commanding 302-run victory on Thursday. With this triumph, India secured their spot in the semi-finals, becoming the first team to do so.
This win marked India’s seventh consecutive victory in this year’s 50-over tournament, arguably showcasing their most dominant performance yet. Sri Lanka’s batsmen could only hold their ground for under 20 overs while chasing a formidable 358-run target.
For Sri Lanka, this defeat all but dashed their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages, as Kusal Mendis’s side suffered their fifth loss in seven matches.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit got off to a disastrous start with Jasprit Bumrah striking with the very first delivery. Following that, Mohammed Siraj claimed the next three wickets, leaving Sri Lanka at a precarious four for three runs.
Subsequently, Mohammed Shami joined the onslaught, securing a remarkable five-wicket haul that propelled India’s relentless momentum. Shami concluded with impressive figures of 5-18, while Siraj contributed with 3-16. Sri Lanka was eventually dismissed for a meager 55 runs, marking their lowest total in a 50-over World Cup.
India’s batting display was equally formidable, with Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill both crafting authoritative fifties and forming a potent 189-run partnership for the second wicket. Their efforts propelled the hosts to a formidable total of 357 for eight.
Following the quick dismissals of Kohli and Gill by left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka, India’s number four, Shreyas Iyer, injected late impetus into the innings with a blistering 56-ball 82. Iyer’s innings featured three fours and six sixes before he was dismissed by Madushanka, who secured his first five-wicket haul in the format, concluding with figures of 5-80.
Sri Lanka got an ideal start when Madushanka removed the in-form India captain, Rohit Sharma, with only the second ball of the innings. This came after the island nation won the toss and chose to bowl on a hot and humid day at the Wankhede Stadium.
Kohli then went on to notch 88 off 94 balls, while Gill maintained a run-a-ball pace, reaching 92. Gill survived an early dropped catch at eight runs, and Kohli also received a reprieve at 10 during his innings.
