India thrash Sri Lanka to reach World Cup semi-finals

Published November 2, 2023
India’s players celebrate after the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP
India’s players celebrate after the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP
India’s Mohammed Siraj (L) celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP
India’s Mohammed Siraj (L) celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP
India’s Mohammed Siraj (2R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP
India’s Mohammed Siraj (2R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. — AFP

India hammered Sri Lanka by 302 runs in Mumbai on Thursday as the unbeaten tournament hosts reached the World Cup semi-finals with a crushing victory.

Sri Lanka collapsed to 55 all out inside 20 overs, having been set 358 to win.

Mohammed Shami took 5-18 in five overs after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj struck with the new ball in an innings featuring five ducks and a top score of just 14.

Both Sri Lanka openers fell for golden ducks as they slumped to 14-6.

Bumrah, with 1-8 in five overs, and Siraj (3-16 in seven) did the early damage before Shami took two wickets in two balls as Sri Lanka’s rapid collapse continued.

India’s winning-margin was their biggest success, by runs, in a World Cup game surpassing their 257-run defeat of non-Test nation Bermuda during the 2007 edition in the Caribbean.

Virat Kohli missed out on equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 49 one-day international hundreds but still made 88 in a total of 357-8 Opening batsman Shubman Gill top-scored with 92.

The pair were out in quick succession after they had shared a stand of 189 following the second-ball exit of India captain Rohit Sharma.

But Shreyas Iyer kept the runs coming with a blistering 82 off just 56 balls including six superbly struck sixes.

Opinion

Editorial

A sobering election?
Updated 05 Jun, 2024

A sobering election?

India should reach out to Pakistan, and the state should respond positively to any Indian overtures.
Out of time
05 Jun, 2024

Out of time

TODAY, on World Environment Day, we must confront a sobering truth: an alarming 40pc of the planet’s land is...
Lower inflation
05 Jun, 2024

Lower inflation

AS anticipated, the dramatic drop in May’s inflation figures to 11.8pc — the lowest in 30 months — has ...
Cipher acquittal
Updated 04 Jun, 2024

Cipher acquittal

Our state, in its desperation to victimise another ex-PM, once again left them looking like more of a hero than they perhaps deserved to be.
China sojourn
04 Jun, 2024

China sojourn

AS the prime minister begins his five-day visit to China today, investment — particularly to reinvigorate the...
Measles resurgence
04 Jun, 2024

Measles resurgence

THE alarming rise in measles cases across Pakistan signals a burgeoning public health crisis that demands immediate...