With the victory, India pulled off their seventh win in a row and became the first team to officially book their place in the semi-finals of the cricketing extravaganza.
The win also helped India regain the top spot in the standings as Rohit Sharma and co. continued to remain the only undefeated team in the competition.
The pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami produced a superb burst of new-ball bowling as the Lankans were completely floored — succumbing to their lowest-ever ODI World Cup total of 55 all out in chase of an improbable 358.
As It Happened
The Lankans narrowly escaped the lowest completed total at a World Cup of Canada — 36 all out against Sri Lanka at Paarl that was registered in the 2003 edition.
The incredible outing by the pacers was led by Shami (5/18) who grabbed his second fifer of the tournament.
Here’s a look at the key moments of the India vs Sri Lanka Match 33 of the ODI World Cup:
Early Rohit blow and Gill-Kohli rescue act
Put into bat, India got off to an unexpected start as Dilshan Madushanka stunned the Wankhede crowd early, knocking over local boy Rohit Sharma second-ball into the contest. Producing a peach of a delivery, Madushanka squared up in-form Rohit completely as the India skipper lost his off stump for just 4 runs. The other opener Gill and Virat Kohli, then started the rescue job, steadying the Indian ship after an early jolt. Both batted with a risk-free approach and focussed on rotating the strike along with putting the bad balls to the fence. As both gained confidence, boundaries started to flow regularly for India. In the process, Kohli also got past Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring most 1000-plus runs in a calendar year — 8 times. At the 20th over mark, as India reached 120 for the loss of one wicket, both Kohli and Gill got to their respective fifties and had laid a solid platform for a massive total.
Gill and Kohli missing out on tons
As the Kohli and Gill partnership soared, the Lankan bowlers looked absolutely clueless against the mighty batting pair. Registering the highest partnership for India in a World Cup game at home, both looked in incredible touch and it seemed like there was a race between the two on who would get to the three-figure mark first. Unfortunately, Gill perished in the 30th over for 92 as a returning Dilshan Madushanka broke the record 189-run stand. Kohli, then became Madushanka’s third victim, as he was deceived by a slower ball and walked back for 88 in the 32nd over.
Shreyas fireworks
With 199 on the board at the end of the 32nd over and two set batters back in the pavilion, India needed someone to carry on with the momentum to get to a big total. Shreyas Iyerwho had a troubled outing in the previous game, put his hand up and got busy straightaway. Not allowing the Lankans to build the pressure, Shreyas and KL Rahul added a superb 60 runs for the fourth wicket off 47 balls to keep the runs flowing for India. Unfortunately India lost Rahul for 21 in the 40th over, but Shreyas kept the foot on the pedal. With two more partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas ensured that India were well above the 300-mark. Trying to get the big hits in the death overs, Shreyas perished for 82 but had put India on course for a total above 350. Jadeja (35) along with the tailenders then pushed India to a formidable 357 for 8 in 50 overs.
The pacers’ demolition job
Chasing an improbable target for victory, the Lankans were completely stunned by the superb and awesome effort from the Indian pacers. Jasprit Bumrah drew first blood as Pathum Nissanka was trapped in front of the stumps first-ball into the chase. Mohammed Siraj then bowled a magical first over, getting rid of Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama for ducks in the second over. Kusal Mendis then became Siraj’s third victim as he fell for 1 and the Lankans were found tottering at 3 for 4 at the start of the fourth over. The Bumrah and Siraj opening burst was followed by Mohammed Shami as he grabbed two-in-two in his first over. With the wickets of Charith Asalanka Dushan Hemantha, Shami ended the hopes of any revival for Sri Lanka. Down and out at 14 for six, the India pacers decided the outcome of the game at the end of the first powerplay itself.
Shami fifer and finishing touches
After grabbing two wickets in his first over, Shami continued with his relentless approach and gave nothing away to the Lankan batters. Dushan Hemantha became Shami’s third victim and Angelo Mathews’ short resistance too was ended by Shami as Lanka stared at the unwanted record of lowest-ever total by a team at the World Cup. Maheesh Theekshana and Kasun Rajitha did manage to take their team past the lowest total mark of 35 but Shami then dismissed Rajitha for 14 to complete his second fifer of this World Cup. Ravindra Jadeja then wrapped up the proceedings, removing Dilshan Madushanka in the 20th over as India registered the second biggest win ever at the World Cup.
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