India destroy Sri Lanka by 302 runs to seal place in World Cup semi-finals

Mohammed Shami sparkled with a five-wicket haul as India thrashed Sri Lanka to reach the Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals on Thursday. After Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis urged the side to bat first, India achieved a large total of 357 for 8 in 50 overs, led by the impactful performances of Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88), and Shreyas Iyer (82 off 56).

The Indian pacers then unleashed total havoc. Jasprit Bumrah struck first with a wicket, and Mohammed Siraj followed with three. Following that, Mohammed Shami got a five-wicket haul (5 for 18 in 5 overs) to enable India conclude the game early. With the victory, India recaptured first place in the points standings for the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer all hit half-centuries to help India reach a formidable total of 357/8 after being called to bat first.

The home crowd had wanted to see Kohli get his second century of the tournament, but he fell soon after, with Madushanka taking his third wicket with India’s star hitter on 88. But Shreyas Iyer swiftly took over, becoming the third Indian batsman to reach 80 before Madushanka got his fifth wicket.

After that, Sri Lanka had a dreadful start to their innings, losing four wickets for three runs in four overs. Pathum Nissanka was caught lbw by Jasprit Bumrah on the first delivery, but it was Mohammed Siraj who did the majority of the damage, taking Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama in the second over and bowling the captain, Kusal Mendis, with the first ball of the fourth over.

Charith Asalanka lasted till the 10th over before being caught by Ravindra Jadeja off the bowling of Shami, having scored only one run from 24 balls.

Dushan Hemantha was caught behind by KL Rahul the following delivery, and while Chameera prevented Shami a hat-trick, he perished for a duck in the bowler’s next over. Only Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kasun Rajitha scored in double digits as Sri Lanka were bowled out in 20 overs.

Rohit Sharma: “I’m very happy knowing we have qualified for the semifinals, this was the first goal. But how we approached the seven games has been quite clinical, and a lot of individuals have put in the efforts, put their hands up and stood up. It was a good challenge for us to bat and put runs on the board. That’s the kind of template you want to have when you want to score that many runs. Credit to the batters for getting to that total and then the seamers obviously. Shreyas is a very strong lad, strong in his mind, and today he did what he is known for – take on the opposition and the bowlers. He’s been working very hard on his game and today we saw what he’s capable of. As for Siraj, he’s a quality bowler and if he does that it’s quite a big difference for us. So very happy with how the squad as performed, even Surya in the last game. To put in a performance like this back to back, against England and now, shows the quality of the seamers. Obviously when there’s something for them in the conditions, they are quite lethal. I have left it to the bowler and the keeper to make those calls, but yeah I have to find individuals I can trust to make those calls, some may go here and there, today was 50-50 but that happens some times.  They’re playing some good cricket, so are we, so it’s going to be a good game.”

Kusal Mendis: “I am very disappointed. They bowled really well with seam and swing, and unfortunately we couldn’t play to our potential. Uhhh, I can’t say like that. The wicket looked a little slow that’s why I wanted to bowl first. I think Madushanka bowled really well, but Shubhman’s chance and Virat’s chance weren’t taken and then the game changed a bit. But everyone bowled well in the middle overs. They then bowled really well in the first six overs, I think we need to give credit to their fast bowling unit. We have two matches with Bangladesh and New Zealand, so we will come back stronger.”

Mohammed Shami: “I want to first thank Allah – all the hard work we are putting in, the rhythm we have found, it’s because of that that you are getting to see this storm (on the cricket field), the incredible things our bowling unit is doing. The rhythm we are bowling with, I can’t believe anyone will not enjoy it. So, yes, we are enjoying ourselves a lot and working together as a unit, and you are able to see the results of that.Yeah, I am trying, as always, trying to pitch the ball in the right areas and trying to find the right rhythm, because in big tournaments, if you lose the rhythm it’s very difficult to get it back. So right from the start, the attempt has been to focus on the right areas and right lengths, and it’s working, so why not try to repeat it?”