Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bowled a brilliant spell with the new ball to help the hosts dismantle Sri Lanka and set up a dominant win on Thursday at the Wankhede.
Team India’s fiery fast bowling, courtesy – of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, helped the hosts thrash Sri Lanka by a thumping margin of 302 runs victory on Thursday.
As a result, India maintained their unbeaten run and became the first side to book a semi-final spot. It was India’s seventh win in as many matches.
Chasing a mammoth target of 358, Sri Lanka’s chase got off to an awful start, with Jasprit Bumrah striking first before Siraj picked up the next three wickets.
Coming into the attack next, Shami bagged a five-wicket haul and finished with 5-18 while Siraj took 3-16 as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 55, their lowest total in a 50-over World Cup.
The Indian pace trio’s performance gathered massive praise from former Pakistan captain and speedster Wasim Akram.
Akram was mighty impressed with Siraj’s effort and said that he would only get better with time.
Pointing out the reason behind Siraj’s accomplishment, Akram said, “He has been so successful because he gets the seam position right when the ball pitches on the surface, and the length he bowls is the one that will always give him reward.”
“He also uses the angles – round and over the wicket. His ball seams a lot – jo par ke lagti hai. Batters played him on the back foot, and he was toying around with the SL batters. I am very impressed by his spell. Incredible performance, and he is only going to get better,” Akram said on A Sports.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-Ul-Haq also showered praise on Siraj and said that what sets Siraj apart from the other two seamers is his length that is a bit further forward, and when there is a bit of swing on offer, then facing him becomes difficult. “Avoiding his deliveries is impossible, and when there is swing, it feels like there is always a wicket coming superb bowling,” said Misbah.
Meanwhile, India rose atop the points’ table with a perfect record after seven games and is the only unbeaten side in the tournament.
Source:indianexpress.com