Mumbai (Web Desk): In a stunning display of cricket prowess, India’s formidable pacers dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup after impressive performances by Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer, leading to one of the most significant World Cup defeats for Sri Lanka.
Chasing a daunting target of 358 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting order crumbled, managing only 55 runs in 19.4 overs. Indian pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, commenced the defense brilliantly, reducing Sri Lanka to a mere 3/4 in the fourth over.
Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews tried to stabilize the innings, but Mohammed Shami intervened with an outstanding spell, claiming five crucial wickets and restricting Sri Lanka to a paltry total. Kasun Rajitha was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka in their challenging innings, contributing alongside Maheesh Theekshana and Mathews, who each scored 12 runs.
The rest of the Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled to reach double figures. Shami led the charge for India with figures of 5/18, complemented by Siraj’s 3/16, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja secured one wicket each.
On the batting front, after winning the toss, Dilshan Madushanka provided Sri Lanka an early breakthrough by dismissing Rohit Sharma in just the second ball of the innings. Virat Kohli then partnered with Shubman Gill, and together they amassed an impressive 189 runs for the second wicket, both achieving their half-centuries.
Shubman Gill, who was on the brink of securing his maiden World Cup century, and Virat Kohli, eyeing his 49th ODI century to equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record, were thwarted by Dilshan Madushanka as he claimed both their wickets in successive overs.
Shubman Gill was the top scorer with a composed 92 runs off 100 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli contributed 88 runs from 92 deliveries, with an equal number of boundaries.
Shreyas Iyer, batting at number four, partnered with KL Rahul, adding 60 runs for the fourth wicket, though Rahul managed to contribute 21 runs from 19 balls. Iyer continued his brilliant performance by accumulating another 57 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket before falling to Madushanka after hitting consecutive sixes.
Iyer’s explosive innings of 82 runs from 56 balls comprised three boundaries and six towering sixes. Jadeja, on the other hand, provided a quick cameo with 35 runs off 24 balls before being run out on the final ball of the innings. Apart from Madushanka’s remarkable five-wicket haul, Dushmantha Chameera was the sole Sri Lankan bowler to take a wicket, while two Sri Lankan batters were dismissed due to run-outs.
Brief Scores:
INDIA 357-8 (Gill 92, Kohli 88, Shreyas 82, Madushanka 5-80)
SRI LANKA 55 (Shami 5-18, Siraj 3-16)
India won by 302 runs.
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