India’s unbeaten World Cup semi-final book

• Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj bowl well.
• India secured a 302-run victory over the Islanders.
• They become the first side to secure a semi-final place.

Some fiery fast bowling from India’s Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj lit up their World Cup clash with Sri Lanka and helped the unbeaten hosts to an impressive 302-run victory on Thursday to become the first team to book a place in the semi-finals.

It was India’s seventh win from as many matches in this year’s 50-over tournament, and arguably their most dominant, with Sri Lanka’s batsmen lasting under 20 overs while chasing a 358-run target.

The defeat ended Sri Lanka’s remaining hopes of making it to the knockouts as Kusal Mendis’ side suffered their fifth defeat in seven matches.

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to an awful start. Jasprit Bumrah struck with the first delivery before Siraj took the next three wickets to reduce it to four for three runs.

Coming into the attack next, Shami put on a five-wicket haul to ensure India’s ownership continued. Shami finished with 5-18 while Siraj took 3-16 as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 55, the lowest total in a 50-over World Cup.

India’s Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill hit fifties earlier and combined for a second stand of 189 to help the hosts post 357 for eight.

After Kohli and Gill fell to left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka in quick succession, India’s number four Shreyas Iyer gave the late innings a flourish with a 56-ball 82.

Iyer hit three fours and six sixes in his knock before Madusanka, who finished with 5-80, dismissed the local batsman to take his first five-three haul in the format.

Madusanka gave Sri Lanka a dream start by dismissing India’s captain Rohit Sharma with the second ball of the match after the island nation won the toss and decided to bowl on a hot and humid day at the Wankhede Stadium.

Kohli then made 88 off 94 balls while Gill scored a run-a-ball 92 to put the Sri Lankan bowlers to the sword. Gill survived a fall on eight, while Kohli also got an early reprieve on 10 during his knock.