By In a thrilling cricket showdown, Mohammed Shami’s remarkable performance led India to a spectacular victory against Sri Lanka, securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Indian pacemen put on an astonishing display that left Sri Lanka skittled out for a mere 55 runs, marking a colossal 302-run win for the tournament hosts. This historic triumph took place in Mumbai on a memorable Thursday, and it was an unforgettable moment for cricket fans worldwide.
Sri Lanka’s innings was nothing short of woeful, with five of their batsmen recording a dreaded duck in the scorebook. Both their openers fell for golden ducks, and the team slumped to a dismal 14-6 while chasing a formidable target of 358 runs.
Mohammed Shami played a pivotal role in India’s victory by taking five wickets for just 18 runs in five overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj set the tone with the new ball, picking up crucial wickets.
Bumrah’s brilliant performance included figures of 1-8 in five overs, while Siraj displayed his bowling prowess with an impressive 3-16 in seven overs. Shami’s quick succession of two wickets in two balls further fueled Sri Lanka’s rapid collapse. The top score in Sri Lanka’s innings was a mere 14 runs, illustrating the dominance of India’s pacemen.
India’s winning margin was their most substantial in terms of runs in any World Cup game. This impressive victory surpassed their 257-run defeat of non-Test nation Bermuda during the 2007 World Cup edition in the Caribbean.
While Sri Lanka’s total exceeded the 50 all out they managed in a previous Asia Cup match against India in Colombo, it was still a far cry from a competitive score. The Sri Lankan team managed to avoid setting new records for the lowest total in any one-day international, keeping their pride intact.
Despite these minor consolations, the defeat marked Sri Lanka’s fifth loss in seven games during this World Cup. Their struggle to find consistency in their performance had been a recurring theme throughout the tournament. The loss against India was yet another reminder of the challenges they face in international cricket.
Before the spectacular bowling display, India’s batsmen set the stage for their victory. Virat Kohli, although missing out on equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 one-day international hundreds, played a crucial role.
He contributed a substantial 88 runs to India’s total of 357-8, forming a remarkable partnership with opener Shubman Gill, who scored 92 runs. The early exit of India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, for just two runs, did little to dampen India’s spirits as Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 82, featuring six sixes, kept the scoreboard ticking.
Facing a daunting chase, Sri Lanka needed a solid start at the Wankhede Stadium. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as Pathum Nissanka was declared lbw for nought off Bumrah’s very first ball.
In the following over, Siraj struck again by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne, the other opening batsman, for a duck. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s brief resistance was soon quashed as he was caught for a duck by third slip Iyer. Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Mendis, didn’t fare much better and was bowled out for just one run by Siraj.
Mohammed Shami continued to be the thorn in Sri Lanka’s side, taking his third wicket by dismissing Charith Asalanka. The score quickly tumbled to 29-8, and it seemed like the end was near for Sri Lanka.
Mahesh Theekshana and Kasun Rajitha showed some resilience but were eventually dismissed. Shami’s fiery spell ended with veteran Angelo Mathews’s wicket, and Sri Lanka’s innings concluded at 55.
India’s dominating performance was sealed by Ravindra Jadeja, who dismissed Dilsan Madushanka, the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in this game. Despite an early setback when Rohit Sharma was bowled out, India maintained control over the match. They missed a few opportunities, but the second-wicket duo of Gill and Kohli ran riot, taking India to an impressive total.
In a thrilling contest that showcased India’s prowess with both bat and ball, Mohammed Shami emerged as the hero of the day, leading India to a historic victory. The World Cup semi-finals await India, and their fans have every reason to celebrate this resounding win.
