Siraj-Bumrah on fire as Sri Lanka slump to three for four against undefeated India

Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: AFP)

Sri Lanka collapsed to three for four in their ICC World Cup 2023 league stage clash against India in Mumbai on Thursday as the unbeaten hosts closed in on a win that would secure a semi-final place.

All the first three batsmen dismissed were out for nought, with both openers falling for golden ducks. Set an imposing 358 to win, Sri Lanka suffered a woeful start to their chase Pathum Nissanka was lbw to Jasprit Bumrah's first ball of the innings, a decision upheld on umpire's call after a Sri Lanka review.

Bumrah bowled two wides to give Sri Lanka thir first runs, but at the start of the next over Mohammed Siraj had Dimuth Karunaratne, the other opening batsman, lbw for nought as well.

Number four Sadeera Samarawickrama survived four balls before he too was out for a duck, edging Siraj to third slip Shreyas Iyer. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis was then bowled for one by Siraj to leave his side three for four in the fourth.

Earlier, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli's inspiring partnership along with Shreyas Iyer's fireworks in the middle overs powered India to a total of 357 in loss of eight wickets. Gill, Kohli and Iyer made most of the run-scoring opportunities that were on offer at the high-scoring Wankede Stadium.

As both of them approached to claim their deserved tons, the nervous ninety got the better of Gill. The young right-handed batter failed to read Madushanka's slow off-cutter and made a failed attempt to chip it over the keeper.

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Kohli (88) was next to depart with the slower delivery once again doing the trick for Madushanka. Kohli timed it a bit early and aimed it towards short cover, Pathum Nissanka dived low to take a stunning catch. He fell short of matching Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries by 12 runs.

The next 20 overs were a story of short cameos by Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul. While Shreyas Iyer got back his groove and tried to go after each delivery that fell in his hitting zone.

Iyer's fireworks at the climax of the first innings saw him scoring two consecutive sixes and then losing his wicket. Madushanka claimed his five-wicket haul hoping to restrict the Indian team from reaching a 350-plus score.

Ravindra Jadeja stayed on the pitch scoring boundaries on deliveries that landed in his hitting zone. His influential knock of 34 at the end guided India to a score of 357/8.

(With inputs from agencies)