India clinched a resounding victory over Sri Lanka, defeating them by a remarkable margin of 302 runs in a thrilling match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (CWC23) held in Mumbai. India’s three-pronged pace attack wreaked havoc, leaving the Sri Lankan team struggling to keep up.
The first innings was illuminated by remarkable half-centuries from Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer. These batting performances have set the stage for a high-scoring encounter.
However, it was India’s seam attack that stole the show, demonstrating their mastery on the field under the vibrant lights of the Wankhede Stadium.
Mohammed Shami, in his 14th World Cup appearance, emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker with a stunning 5/18 from five overs.
Yet, it was the brilliant bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj who initially put India in a commanding position. They had Sri Lanka reeling at four wickets for just three runs during a ruthless opening powerplay.
This remarkable victory is not only India’s largest in World Cup history but also the fourth-largest margin of victory by runs in men’s ODI cricket. It now stands as the second-largest margin in a World Cup match, surpassed only by Australia’s recent victory over the Netherlands.
In the initial stages of the match, Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Rohit Sharma early, but Kohli and Gill’s remarkable 189-run partnership for the second wicket set India on the path to a substantial total.
Despite not reaching triple figures, Gill and Kohli’s contributions were significant, with Madushanka removing Gill for a quickfire 92 and Kohli for 88. Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 82 off 56 deliveries propelled India towards a formidable target of 358 runs for Sri Lanka.
Madushanka’s remarkable performance with the ball, taking five wickets, stood out, but it was overshadowed by India’s exceptional fast bowlers. Their performance during the powerplay was devastating, with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah removing all of Sri Lanka’s top four batsmen.
Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a disastrous start as Nissanka, Karunaratne, and Samarawickrama all departed without scoring. Captain Kusal Mendis added just one run as Sri Lanka collapsed to four down in a spellbinding display.
Mohammed Shami’s brilliance continued as he took two wickets in consecutive balls, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 14/6. Charith Asalanka and Dushan Hemantha also fell victim to Shami’s relentless bowling. Siraj and Bumrah, with their outstanding spells, contributed significantly to India’s dominant performance.
Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal created some tension, but Kohli and Gill weathered the storm and guided India’s recovery. They provided the much-needed stability after surviving a tough new-ball test.
Kohli and Gill achieved their fifties, and India maintained a strong scoring rate throughout the innings. Gill, who was looking to accelerate, fell short of a century, while Kohli was dismissed by Madushanka for 88.
With ample time remaining, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul initiated India’s second rebuilding phase. Iyer, in particular, showcased his aggressive intent and struck a massive 106-meter six off Kasun Rajitha, the largest hit of the tournament.
Rahul departed for 21, but Suryakumar Yadav’s arrival sparked excitement among the Wankhede crowd. Despite a strong start, Yadav was removed by Madushanka for 12, leaving the game finely poised in the final ten overs of the innings.
Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 82 from 56 balls included six maximums and played a pivotal role in India’s final total. Madushanka concluded with figures of 5/80 from his ten overs. Some late hits from Ravindra Jadeja pushed India’s total to 357/8.
In summary, India’s bowlers ensured that the substantial target was never under threat, echoing memories of their recent Asia Cup Final encounter with Sri Lanka.
This defeat leaves Sri Lanka facing an uphill battle to reach the tournament’s final four, while India can look forward to a potential semi-final appearance, possibly on the same ground in just under a fortnight’s time.
