India’s pace bowling trio, consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami, delivered an exceptional and memorable performance with the new ball during their encounter with Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, November 2. Their collective display showcased the devastating potential of India’s fast bowlers, reminiscent of their dominance in the Asia Cup final held just a couple of months earlier in September.
In the Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka had been bowled out for a meager 50 runs, a performance that had raised serious questions about their batting capabilities. On this occasion, their struggles with the bat seemed to persist as they could only muster a few more runs, stumbling to a mere 55 before being bowled out. This batting collapse led to a humiliating and decisive 302-run defeat, reflecting the dominance of the Indian pace attack.
Indeed, the turn of events in the Sri Lankan innings must have caught them completely off guard, especially after witnessing India’s impressive total of 357 on the scoreboard earlier in the day. The pitch, although offering some grip, appeared to be conducive to runs, and this characteristic was not entirely unexpected at the renowned Wankhede Stadium.
Shubman Gill’s innings began with a sense of caution, as he took his time to settle at the crease. However, as the powerplay progressed, he gradually shifted gears and started to make his presence felt. Along with his opening partner, India managed to accumulate a solid total of 60 runs in the first six overs, showcasing their dominance in the early stages of the innings.
Kohli’s masterful batting display saw him consistently find the boundaries, even in the face of early adversity. His elegant stroke play and unwavering focus suggested that there was ample scope for runs to be scored on this pitch. His performance in the powerplay set the tone for India’s innings and laid the foundation for the commanding total they posted.
Shreyas Iyer’s ability to maintain his composure and keep the scoreboard ticking, even when the team faced setbacks, demonstrated his maturity as a batsman. His partnership with Jadeja helped fortify India’s position and ensured that they reached a formidable total of 357, which ultimately proved to be beyond Sri Lanka’s reach in the match. It was a testament to Shreyas Iyer’s skill and temperament under pressure, as he played a significant role in India’s success on that day.
Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka proved to be a standout performer as he harnessed the conditions effectively, ultimately securing a five-wicket haul. His ability to exploit the surface and extract movement certainly played a crucial role in limiting India’s formidable batting lineup.
Sri Lanka’s uphill battle in the daunting chase of 358 began with a series of early setbacks, setting the tone for a challenging innings. India’s formidable pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj wreaked havoc from the very start, leaving Sri Lanka’s top order in disarray.
The nightmare commenced right from the first delivery of their innings when Jasprit Bumrah produced a perfectly executed delivery, which resulted in their in-form batsman Pathum Nissanka being dismissed leg-before-wicket for a golden duck. It was a dramatic and devastating start for Sri Lanka, immediately putting them on the backfoot.
Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka’s captain, suffered a similar fate in the second over, bowled by Mohammed Siraj. He was also trapped leg-before-wicket without contributing a run, compounding Sri Lanka’s early woes.
Sadeera Samarawickrama, the next man in for Sri Lanka, didn’t fare any better. He edged a delivery from Siraj, and the ball found its way into the slip cordon, resulting in yet another dismissal. With this, Sri Lanka’s score slumped to 2/3, leaving them in a state of disbelief and shock.
Mohammed Shami’s exceptional performance in the match, which saw him achieve figures of 5/1 at one point, earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award. Additionally, Shami’s remarkable bowling display made him India’s leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, further solidifying his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers and a key asset for the team.
The situation became even more dire when they lost their fourth wicket at just 3/4. Mohammed Siraj, who had famously taken six wickets in the Asia Cup final, once again proved to be their nemesis. His consistent line, length, and pace had dismantled the Sri Lankan top order, leaving them in a state of disarray.
This early collapse set the stage for what would be a one-sided and comprehensive contest, where India’s bowling attack, led by Bumrah and Siraj, demonstrated their dominance and skill. The Sri Lankan batsmen were visibly shaken by the ferocity of the Indian pace attack, and they found themselves in a nearly insurmountable position. This initial destruction underscored the importance of a strong start in any cricketing contest, and on this day, it paved the way for India’s resounding victory.
Match Summary: India 357/8 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 92, Virat Kohli 88, Shreyas Iyer 82; Dilshan Madushanka 5/80) beat Sri Lanka 55 in 19.4 overs (Mohammed Shami 5/18, Mohammed Siraj 3/16) by 302 runs.
