In a resounding victory, India bulldozed their way into the semifinals of the 2023 World Cup, leaving Sri Lanka in disarray with an astonishing 302-run win. A stellar performance by Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer propelled India to a colossal total of 357, while the Indian pace battery unleashed havoc on the Sri Lankan batting lineup, ultimately dismissing them for a mere 55 runs.
In a surprising turn of events, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that initially bore fruit. Dilshan Madushanka sent Indian skipper Rohit Sharma packing after just two balls, limiting him to a meager four runs.
However, Gill and Kohli demonstrated unwavering resilience during a challenging period of fast-bowling with the new ball. Their remarkable 189-run partnership for the second wicket paved the way for India’s dominant innings. Although both missed centuries, Gill’s departure at 92 and Kohli’s 88 set the stage for Shreyas Iyer to shine. He put to rest any doubts about his form with a scintillating 82 off just 56 balls. Ravindra Jadeja, in a supporting role, contributed 35 runs from 24 balls, boosting India’s total to a commanding 357. Madushanka’s five-wicket haul was the lone bright spot for Sri Lanka.
The Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, unleashed their fury upon the Sri Lankan top order. Bumrah claimed the wicket of Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball of the innings. Mohammed Siraj continued his torment of Sri Lanka, dismissing Dismuth Karunathe and Sadeera Samawickrama for ducks, while also sending Kusal Mendis back with just one run on the board. Mohammed Shami extended his outstanding form, securing yet another five-wicket haul and becoming India’s highest-ever wicket-taker in ODI World Cups.
A dozen years after their historic 2011 triumph, India relished another remarkable encounter against Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Blue became the first team to secure a spot in the tournament’s semifinals, marking the occasion with a massive 302-run victory.
In a stark contrast to their abysmal performance against India in the 2023 Asia Cup final, where they were bundled out for a mere 50, the Sri Lankan batting unit endured another humiliating display. They were dismissed for just 55 runs, marking the third-lowest score in the history of the ODI World Cup. India’s victory was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle, firmly establishing their dominance in the tournament.
What a sensational performance by #TeamIndia in the #CWC2023! 7 wins in 7 games – a testament to exceptional prowess and strong determination. Congratulations to @imVkohli and @ShubmanGill for their fantastic half-centuries, and the relentless bowling department, led by… pic.twitter.com/HrJ1d271KR
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) November 2, 2023
