India bowlers ran riot on Sri Lankan batters in their ODI World Cup match at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on November 2, Thursday. Defending a colossal target of 358, India's star bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami ran through Kusal Mendis' brigade's batting line-up to remind Sri Lanka of the the Asia Cup final.
The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai echoed with the jubilant roars as pacers Bumrah and Siraj showcased an exceptional new-ball bowling performance against Sri Lanka. Their combined prowess left the Lankan team struggling to chase India's mammoth score of 358.
Right from the outset, Bumrah with his lethal deliveries made an instant impact. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka with an impeccable outswinger on the very first ball of Sri Lanka's innings, marking it as a historic moment where an Indian bowler achieved such a feat in a World Cup match. Though he nearly got another wicket in the same over, the Lankan duo of Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama managed to hang on.
However, Siraj, opening from the other end, quickly joined the wicket-taking spree. His inswinging delivery in his opening ball sent Karunaratne back to the pavilion without scoring. Siraj's onslaught didn't stop there. In his subsequent over he picked up two more wickets, including the crucial one of in-form Samarawickrama, followed by Sri Lankan skipper Kusal, without conceding a single run.
The fervor in the Wankhede was palpable, with fans reminiscing Siraj's outstanding performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, where he claimed a five-wicket haul in a mere 16 balls, obliterating the Lankan batting lineup.
India's robust bowling performance had Sri Lanka reeling at 3/4, with their top order completely undone by the ferocious pace duo of Siraj and Bumrah.
Soon Shami joined the party with a brilliant fifer to fold Sri Lankan innings to just 55 and helped India win the match by 302 runs. Meanwhile, Bumrah returned with a bowling figure of 8/1, Siraj dazzled with 16/3.
Earlier in the day, the Indian batsmen set up a commanding total of 357/8 in 50 overs. This achievement was notable for being the highest World Cup score without any player reaching a century. Key contributions came from Shreyas Iyer with a swift 56-ball 82, while Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill added 88 and 92 respectively. Their collective effort ensured India's fifth instance of surpassing the 350-run mark in World Cup history.
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