Mohammed Shami Becomes Highest Wicket-Taker for India in ODI World Cup 2023
During the highly anticipated 2023 World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the fast-bowling trio of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah showcased their extraordinary skills, dismantling Sri Lanka and securing India’s seventh consecutive victory in the tournament, earning them a spot in the semi-finals.
One of the most significant highlights of this thrilling match was Mohammed Shami’s remarkable performance, making him the highest wicket-taker for India in ODI World Cup history. With 45 wickets in ODI World Cups to his name, Shami surpassed legendary bowlers Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath, a testament to his exceptional talent and consistency in the World Cup arena.
Shami’s impressive feat also propelled him into the elite ranks of the top 10 highest wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history, with the illustrious Glenn McGrath leading the list with 71 wickets to his name. Among active international cricketers, Shami now stands as one of the premier wicket-takers, with only Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult surpassing him in this prestigious group, amassing 56 and 49 wickets, respectively.
Shami’s remarkable performance included securing his third World Cup five-wicket haul during the match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede stadium on November 2. Shami now shares the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups with Mitchell Starc, underlining his excellence in high-stakes matches.
The synergy of India’s fast-bowling trio at the start of the match was a sight to behold, with Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen struggling to make any significant impact. The scorecard mirrored a binary code, with Sri Lanka’s top five batsmen recording mere scores of 0, 0, 1, 0, and 1, showcasing the Indian bowlers’ dominance. As Shami continued to claim wickets, eventually dismissing numbers 7 and 8 for ducks, Sri Lanka was perilously close to recording one of the lowest totals in ODI cricket history. In the end, they were bundled out for just 55 runs in 19.4 overs. This extraordinary victory marked the fourth-largest win in ODI history for India.
This was not the first time India had dismissed Sri Lanka for less than 100 runs in ODIs in 2023, highlighting India’s remarkable performance against the island nation. This victory was the second instance of India winning by over 300 runs against Sri Lanka in the same year.
The exceptional bowler-batsman balance was evident during this game, with Dilshan Madushanka’s maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket proving a significant turning point. Madushanka stunned the Wankhede crowd with his remarkable skills, including a Mustafizur Rahman-style cutter that sent Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s off stump tumbling in just the second ball of the match. The majority of Madushanka’s five-wicket haul was a result of his ability to deceive the batsmen by expertly rolling his fingers across the ball.
Despite Madushanka’s brilliant performance, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack continued to struggle and concede runs, a recurring theme throughout the tournament. Virat Kohli, in pursuit of his 49th ODI hundred, tantalized the audience at the Wankhede, inching closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record. However, Madushanka dismissed Kohli just 12 runs short of the century mark, leaving the crowd in anticipation and disappointment.
As India secures its spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup, Mohammed Shami’s record-breaking performance is a testament to his incredible skill and determination. With each wicket he takes, Shami etches his name in the annals of cricket history, reaffirming his status as one of India’s finest fast bowlers.
