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India secures World Cup semi-final spot with dominant performance against Sri Lanka, highlighted by Shami's exceptional bowling and robust batting partnerships.
A sensational bowling display set the stage at Mumbai's iconic cricket ground as India bulldozed Sri Lanka notching up a place in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals.
The Men in Blue delivered a masterclass in both batting and bowling, making an unequivocal statement about their title aspirations.
Sri Lanka, chasing a mammoth World Cup record of 358, faced an early debacle, crashing to an alarming 14-6 within the first 10 overs.
Though they managed to avoid the ignominy of the lowest one-day international score of 35, Mohammed Shami ensured they didn't wander too far, registering an astounding 5-18. The match culminated in a monumental 302-run triumph for India, wrapping up in just 19.4 overs.
It was not just the bowlers who shone. India's batsmen laid down a marker, with the scoreboard reading a daunting 357-8.
Youngster Shubman Gill, narrowly escaping an early dismissal after being dropped on eight, capitalized on the lifeline to notch up a splendid 92.
Virat Kohli, the backbone of India's middle order, seamlessly stitched together an 88-run innings, even after having a narrow escape when he was on 10.
Rohit Sharma's early exit might have caused a flutter in the Indian camp, but Gill and Kohli's 189-run partnership erased all doubts.
Their domineering stand, coupled with the sweltering Mumbai heat, seemed to exhaust the Lankan bowlers, making captain Kusal Mendis' decision to bowl first look all the more perplexing.
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Speaking about the match, Kohli said, "The partnership with Gill was crucial. We knew the importance of building a foundation, and I'm glad we could set the stage for a big total."
The latter half of India's innings saw Shreyas Iyer at his destructive best. His blitzkrieg 56-ball 82 was the stuff of legends, including six towering sixes - one of which traveled a colossal 106 meters, the longest in the tournament so far.
Reflecting on his performance, Iyer shared, "It felt good to connect and contribute to the team's total. The crowd's energy was infectious."
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And indeed, the electrifying Mumbai crowd seemed to amplify its decibel level with every falling Sri Lankan wicket.
Their roar reached its crescendo when Shami, with his fifth wicket of the day, became India's leading World Cup wicket-taker. His tally stands at a remarkable 45 wickets in just 14 matches.
However, the day was not devoid of highlights for the Sri Lankan side. Young seamer Dilshan Madushanka's effort of 5-80 emerged as a silver lining, catapulting him to the top of the World Cup wicket-taking charts with 18 scalps.
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While India rides high on confidence and an unbeaten streak into the semi-finals, Sri Lanka finds itself on shaky ground. Their path to qualification remains fraught with challenges, necessitating victories in their next two matches and dependent on other game outcomes.
As the World Cup progresses, India's formidable display will undoubtedly send ripples through the other competing teams, while Sri Lanka will look to regroup, introspect, and come back stronger.
Whatever the future holds, this match will be remembered as a showcase of India's cricketing prowess and Sri Lanka's indomitable spirit.
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