For many spectators the Sri Lankan performance against India was reminiscent of the Asia Cup 2023 final, where Sri Lanka got all out for a mere total of 50. Nothing much changed over a month’s time as Sri Lanka failed to improve on their batting woes, ultimately getting bowled out for 55. This was Sri Lanka’s lowest totals in World Cups and it was the lowest by any full-member team.
In what was tipped to be a high-voltage clash at the Wankhede stadium, evocative of the 2011 World Cup final, the match turned out to be a one-sided contest. India secured their seventh win in a row in the tournament, beating Sri Lanka by a whooping 302- runs margin cementing their place in the semi final. They became the first team to achieve this feat in the marquee event.
With this win, India retained the top spot again, edging past South Africa with two points clear. SA on the other hand have a superior NRR than any other team in the tournament sitting at the second place with 12 points. Australia and New Zealand share the third spot, each with eight points, but Australia holds a slight edge in net run rate at +0.970 compared to New Zealand's +0.484.
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The race for the semi-final spots intensifies as Pakistan and Afghanistan stand neck and neck with six points each. They are closely trailed by Sri Lanka and the Netherlands with four points each, while Bangladesh (eliminated) and England find themselves at the bottom with two points apiece.
India have two more group-stage matches on the horizon, facing South Africa in Kolkata and the Netherlands in Bengaluru. The composition of the semi-final lineup remains uncertain, as Pakistan and Afghanistan remain strong contenders.
South African opener Quinton de Kock has been a standout performer in the current World Cup, leading the charts with an impressive total of 545 runs to his name. Following closely is Virat Kohli, who has notched up 442 runs. Kohli missed out on his 49th ton against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra occupies the third spot with 415 runs. David Warner and Rohit Sharma complete the list of leading run-scorers with 413 and 402 runs, respectively.
Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka has made his mark as the leading wicket-taker in the current World Cup, claiming an impressive tally of 18 wickets. He took a five-wicket haul against India, his first in the career.
Sharing the second spot are three Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, South Africa's Marco Jansen, and Australia's Adam Zampa, all with 16 wickets to their names. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohamed Shami aren't far behind, occupying the fifth and sixth spot with 15 wickets and 14 wickets, respectively.