India has 7 wins from 7 matches in CWC 2023 and have qualified for the semi-finals.
India was put into bat first by Sri Lanka and scored 357/8 in 50 overs. Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88) and Shreyas Iyer (82) were the main scorers for Men in Blue. Dilshan Madushanka with 5/80 was the star for Sri Lanka.
In response, Mohammad Shami with 5/18 and Mohammed Siraj with 3/16 routed the Sri Lankan batting lineup in a repeat of the Asia Cup 2023 final. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 55 runs and lost by 302 runs.
With this win, India became the first team to officially qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.
After the match, the usual ‘best fielder’ medal ceremony happened in the Indian dressing room, but this time it came with a ‘legendary’ twist.
While announcing the winner, 'Men in Blue' fielding coach T Dilip said that the team's performance on the field against Sri Lanka was nothing short of extraordinary. Dilip called Ravindra Jadeja the 'silent sniper' as while he is not amongst the loudest on the field, but when it comes to throwing, and catching, he is just out there.
"I think it was a shock, but the way you guys performed on the field was nothing short of extraordinary. One special mention to the guys today in the hot sun, people who have battled there, when they came back on the field, they made sure that they maintained that intensity. I think one of our GPS navigator types, working along with the captain, makes sure that he has the right fielders at the right place. But also he has tested both sides laterally, taking one side on the right and taking one side on the left.
Outstanding, KL Rahul. And we all know that our best fielder is always waiting to take those brilliant catches. I will tell you, my instinct that he would take that catch today. He [Ravindra Jadeja] made it happen. I think last but not least, I think he would call him a 'silent sniper'. He is not the loudest on the field but when it comes to throwing, and catching, he is just out there," Dilip said in a video shared by BCCI.
The legendary twist came when the person to announce the winner of the best fielder medal turned out to be none other than Sachin Tendulkar. The legend recalled the 2003 World Cup when the Men in Blue players used to sign a chart where it was written 'I can, we can'.
Tendulkar also praised Rohit Sharma's side and said that he simply loved the brand of cricket that they have played so far in the tournament. He named Shreyas Iyer as the winner of the ‘Best Fielder medal’.
"Rohit met me the other day and spoke to me about the fielding medal, the best fielders medal. It took me back to the 2003 World Cup, 20 years ago when we were playing South Africa. We had one chart before the tournament started 'I can, we can'. Every player had to sign that chart before going. It was all about commitment and I will give my 100% for the country and the team and that is exactly what the current team is doing by giving fielding medals.
It is to me a reflection of your commitment, to doing something for your colleague, for your team, and for the country. I simply loved the brand of cricket that you have played so far. It is been a joy to watch. Awesome guys continue this form," Sachin Tendulkar said.
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The 'Men in Blue' will take on South Africa in their upcoming match at Eden Garden in Kolkata on Sunday.
(ANI inputs)