New Delhi: India continued their unbeaten run in the World Cup 2023 with a massive 302-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The hosts, who had already secured their spot in the semi-finals, put up a clinical performance with both bat and ball to outclass the visitors in all departments.
India’s batting was led by captain Virat Kohli, who scored his 49th ODI century and his fifth in World Cups. He smashed 132 off 106 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes, to anchor India’s innings after they were asked to bat first by Sri Lanka. He was well supported by Rohit Sharma (72), KL Rahul (51), and Rishabh Pant (45), as India posted a daunting total of 357 for 6 in 50 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was ineffective against the Indian onslaught, as none of their bowlers could take more than one wicket. The only bright spot for them was spinner Akila Dananjaya, who conceded only 38 runs in his 10 overs and dismissed Rahul.
Sri Lanka’s chase never got going, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for a paltry 55 in 14.5 overs. The Indian pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batsmen, who had no answer to their pace and accuracy.
The show’s star was Shami, who claimed his third five-wicket haul in World Cups and his fourth in ODIs. He finished with figures of 5 for 12 in 6 overs, which included the wickets of Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dushmantha Chameera. He also created history by becoming the leading wicket-taker for India in World Cups with 45 scalps, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath, who had 44 each. He also equaled Mitchell Starc’s record of taking three five-wicket hauls in World Cups.
Shami also became the first Indian bowler to take four or more five-wicket hauls in ODIs, leaving behind Srinath and Harbhajan Singh, who had three each. He also improved his bowling average to 19.35, the best among all Indian bowlers who have taken at least 50 ODI wickets.
Bumrah and Siraj also chipped in with one and three wickets respectively, while Ravindra Jadeja took the final wicket of Nuwan Pradeep to seal the win for India. Sri Lanka’s highest scorer was Chandimal, who made 15 runs.
With this win, India maintained their perfect record in the World Cup 2023, winning all seven matches so far. They will face England in the semi-final on November 10 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, finished their campaign with only one win from seven matches and ended at the bottom of the table.
