Last Update on: November 2nd, 2023 at 10:45 pm
Mohammed Siraj rattled the stumps of Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis.
Kusal Mendis has been going through a lean patch since taking over the charge of Team Sri Lanka.
The India National Cricket Team premier pacer Mohammed Siraj was breathing fire in the 33rd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, November 2.
Siraj, just the Asia Cup 2023 final, turned out to be a nightmare for the Lankan Lions as he bowled exceptional lines and lengths and didn’t let the batters breathe. He produced a double wicket maiden in the first over by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
He then completed his three-wicket haul in his second over itself by dismissing the Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis, who has been going through a rough patch since taking over the captaincy role from Dasun Shanaka.
Kusal Mendis was able to score just 1 run off 10 deliveries before becoming the third wicket of Mohammed Siraj.
On the first ball of the fourth over, Mohammed Siraj bowled a good length delivery that angled in towards middle stumps and then straightened to beat the outside and rattle the stumps, leaving the batsman Mendis in shock. After taking the wicket, Siraj pulled off Cristiano Ronaldo’s Siu celebration.
Watch: Mohammed Siraj Knocks Over Kusal Mendis
In the end, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 55 in 19.4 overs, handing India a massive 302-run win and helping them secure a semi-final spot.
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Kusal Mendis expressed disappointment over the performance of his team. He said:
“I am very disappointed with the team’s performance, with myself also. They bowled really well, little bit of seam movement under lights as well. Unfortunately, we lost the match.”
Kusal Mendis added that the Sri Lankan bowlers did a great job, but weren’t well supported by the fielders. He elaborated:
“I wanted to bowl first because I felt the wicket would be slow in the first half. Madushanka bowled really well and we missed taking chances from Virat and Gill and sometimes those moments could change the game. Our bowlers did well in the middle overs. They bowled really well in the first 6 overs, and I think they deserve all the credit tonight. We have another 2 games and I hope we come back strong in the next game.”
