World Cup 2023: Very disappointed with the team’s performance – Kusal Mendis after huge loss against India

Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis expressed his disappointment after they were thrashed by India by a huge margin of 302 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday. Mendis asked India to bat first but the home team posted a mammoth total of 357-8 on the board.

Shubman Gill got the much-needed runs as he scored 92 whereas Virat Kohli scored 88 after getting dismissed for a blob against England. The duo added 189 runs for the second wicket and laid down the perfect foundation for a big score after Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal.

Under-fire Shreyas Iyer also joined the party as he scored a quickfire knock of 82 runs off just 56 balls. On the other hand, Sri Lanka fell down like ninepins as they were bundled out for a mere score of 55 runs.

Mohammed Siraj breathed down the neck of the Islanders as he scalped three early wickets after Bumrah struck on the first ball of the innings. Shami then wreaked havoc as he registered the best bowling figures of the World Cup 2023, returning with 5-18.

The fast bowler dismissed Charith Asalanka and Dasun Hemantha on consecutive balls in his first over before accounting for Angelo Mathews, Kasun Rajitha, and Dushmantha Chameera.

In fact, no Sri Lankan batter could even go past the 15-run mark in their batting innings as they could not show any stomach for a fight.

Kusal Mendis said in the post-match presentation, “ 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. I wanted to bowl first because I felt the wicket would be slow in the first half.”

He added, “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.”

It will be difficult for Sri Lanka to qualify for the last four from here as they have managed only two wins in seven games. The Lankans will take on Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Monday.