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In an ODI World Cup 2023 contest against Sri Lanka on November 2, Mohammed Siraj experienced a sense of deja vu, echoing his breathtaking spell in the Asia Cup 2023 final. Much like his past heroics in that game when he snared six crucial wickets, Siraj initiated a sensational assault on Sri Lanka’s top order.
During the match, he scalped two wickets in a single over, leaving Sri Lanka’s top order reeling and drawing parallels to his previous game-winning feats. Ultimately, Sri Lanka bowled out for 55 and the Men in Blue won the match by 302 runs. Siraj finished off with three wickets in seven overs.
Quick strikes with the new ball
Chasing India’s imposing 358, the lethal combination of Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj proved effective. Bumrah initiated the assault by dismissing Patthum Nissanka in the very first delivery of Sri Lanka’s second innings.
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Mohammed Siraj unleashes chaos against Sri Lanka
Sharing the new ball with Bumrah, Siraj, whose form in the tournament had been inconsistent, caught Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne off guard on the first delivery of his spell. He began with a delivery that swung back in, surprising Karunaratne. The result was a successful appeal for an LBW, although Karunaratne challenged the decision, it ultimately favoured the on-field umpire. In the fifth ball of the same over, Siraj went wide of the crease, delivering a ball that held its line wide of off. Sadeera Samarawickrama, attempting to reach it, found only the outside edge, which flew to third slip, where Shreyas Iyer held onto a chest-high catch.
Here’s the video:
India’s strong batting display
In the first innings, India posted a formidable total of 357/8 from 50 overs. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Iyer contributed with impressive half-centuries. On the other side, Sri Lanka‘s Dilshan Madushanka was the standout performer, taking five wickets in an attempt to stifle India’s batting prowess.