Team India delivered a crushing defeat to Sri Lanka, emerging victorious by a staggering margin of 302 runs in their World Cup clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
With this commanding victory, India etched their name in the annals of the tournament’s history, becoming the first team to secure a spot in the highly coveted semi-finals.
The Indian bowling brigade showcased exceptional skills, confining the Island nation to a paltry 55 runs.
The formidable trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami set the tone for India with a mesmerizing exhibition of seam and swing bowling.
They orchestrated a brilliant start, leaving Sri Lanka in trouble at 14/6, desperately chasing India’s daunting target of 358. Bumrah initiated the onslaught, claiming a wicket on the very first ball of the innings.
Siraj, with his fiery pace, mirrored Bumrah’s brilliance, scalping two crucial wickets in quick succession. He then dismissed Kusal Mendis, further intensifying Sri Lanka’s misery. Mohammed Shami was the standout performer with the ball, amassing a magnificent five-wicket haul.
For India, Siraj and Shami exhibited a remarkable bowling display, picking up three and five wickets, respectively, while the dynamic duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah contributed by taking one wicket each.
Earlier in the day, India’s batting might shone as they posted an imposing total of 357/8 against Sri Lanka. The innings were bolstered by brilliant half-centuries from the likes of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer.
After Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal, cleaned up by the spirited Dilshan Madushanka, Kohli and Gill resurrected the innings with a breathtaking partnership, accumulating their respective half-centuries.
Their formidable alliance added 189 runs for the second wicket, setting the stage for India’s dominance. However, Madushanka played spoilsport, breaking the partnership by dismissing both well-set batsmen.
Shreyas Iyer took the baton and displayed a stunning 56-ball 82, ensuring that India crossed the 300-run mark. Ravindra Jadeja’s valuable contribution towards the end elevated the team’s total beyond the 350-run threshold, further demoralizing the Sri Lankan bowlers.
In response, the Sri Lankan batters endured a woeful outing, displaying a lackluster performance with the bat. Kasun Rajitha emerged as the top-scorer, mustering a mere 14 runs.
The Sri Lankan lineup appeared utterly perplexed, struggling to decode the relentless and disciplined Indian bowling attack that dismantled their every effort.
The overwhelming defeat underscored India’s supremacy on the field, as they stormed into the semi-finals with an emphatic victory, leaving Sri Lanka in their wake.