In the 2023 World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma saw his off stump walk as he played all around a Dilshan Madushanka ball.
On a scorching afternoon, Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis ordered the hosts to bat first. Rohit appeared to be on track for another high score in the competition after a first ball loosener was clipped beautifully around the bend.
However, he misjudged the second delivery, as the ball just stayed its line around the off stump. Rohit played inside the line, obviously expecting it to form back in, and had to make do with the death rattle behind him.
Here’s a look at Madushanka’s peach of a delivery, which gave Sri Lanka the perfect start to their 2023 World Cup match:
India Aims for Seventh Consecutive World Cup Victory
The very place where India and Sri Lanka battled in the 2011 World Cup final is hosting them again. It was here that India seized their second ODI global championship.
Virat Kohli, from that final, stands alone in today’s match at the Wankhede Stadium. Both teams have seen differing luck in the 2023 World Cup hitherto.
India has won all six round-robin games so far and has a place in the semifinals, with a win today guaranteeing their place in the knockouts. Sri Lanka has won only two of its six matches and has to win all of their remaining games while also praying for other results to go their way.
While India has kept their starting XI unaltered, Sri Lanka has brought in leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha in place of the injured Dhananjaya de Silva.
Following Rohit’s ejection, India faces a difficult challenge in regaining control of the powerplay. At the time of writing, the hosts are 14/1 in three overs, with Kohli on nine and Shubman Gill still to score.