SAJEEWA JAYAKODY
COLOMBO – Sri Lankan bowlers, notably Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera, showcased impressive bowling skills, but early drop catches proved costly as Indian batters Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli built a formidable 189-run partnership for the second wicket, setting a target of 358 for Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC World Cup match at Wankhede on Thursday.
The match commenced with Dilshan Madushanka dismantling Rohit Sharma’s off stump in the first over. Both Madushanka and Chameera exerted pressure on Kohli and Gill. Chameera troubled Kohli on multiple occasions, but luck wasn’t on Sri Lanka’s side as a couple of half chances were dropped, which could have changed the course of the game.
The pivotal 189-run partnership between Kohli and Gill propelled India to a colossal score of 357/8 in their 50 overs. Shreyas Iyer’s explosive innings of 82 off 56 balls accelerated India past the 300-run mark, while Ravindra Jadeja’s late onslaught helped them cross the 350-run mark.
Despite leaking runs initially, Sri Lankan seamers, especially Madushanka and Chameera, displayed brilliance during the Power Plays. Madushanka’s five-wicket haul marked a significant achievement, making him the fifth Sri Lankan fast bowler in ICC World Cup history to accomplish this feat, following Ashantha de Mel (twice), Chaminda Vaas, and Lasith Malinga. Madushanka’s comeback deliveries notably improved to claim wickets when given the ball.
India’s dominant batting performance and late flourish set a challenging target for Sri Lanka despite the initial brilliance shown by their bowlers.
Chief scores:
India: 357/8 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 92, Virat Kohli 88, Shreyas Iyer 82, Ravindra Jadeja 35, KL Rahul 21, Dilshan Madushanka 80/5).
