India became the first team to officially qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after thrashing Sri Lanka by 302 runs in a one-sided clash on Thursday, November 2 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bowl first, and though Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 4, the decision backfired as India piled up 357/8 in their 50 overs.
Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88), and Shreyas Iyer (82) missed out on centuries but their knocks ensured India posted a massive score despite Dilshan Madushanka bagging a five-wicket haul while conceding 80 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka's batting was decimated for the second time in successive games against India, as they had been bowled out for 50 in the Asia Cup final. This time they fared just as badly getting bowled out for just 55 in 19.4 overs.
Player-of-the-Match, Mohammad Shami (5/18) picked up yet another five-wicket haul, while Mohammed Siraj took 3/16, as Indian bowlers almost toyed with the Sri Lankan batters before the eventual decimation.
Rohit Sharma was naturally a very happy captain after India recorded their seventh consecutive win in the tournament to become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals, and in some style.
Rohit, who hails from Mumbai and was playing his first-ever World Cup match on his home ground, posed for selfies with the fans and even gifted a shoe to a young fan in the MCA stand.
India will play South Africa next on Saturday, November 5 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
