Harsha Bhogle reacts to abysmal performance of Sri Lanka in 2023 World Cup

Sri Lanka’s cricket team faced a daunting challenge in the ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand. Their disappointing batting performance would ultimately cost them the match and leave their hopes for the 2025 Champions Trophy qualification in jeopardy. In a contest that could determine their fate in the tournament, Sri Lanka’s batsmen struggled to put up a competitive total, allowing New Zealand to clinch a crucial victory.

The match began with a grim outlook for Sri Lanka as their top-order batsmen faltered against the relentless pace and swing of New Zealand’s bowlers. The early collapse saw key players like Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama falling cheaply. Within the first ten overs, Sri Lanka found themselves in a dire situation, with just 70 runs on the board and five wickets down.

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle asked some serious questions to Sri Lanka in on Twitter. He said that despite having 6 quality players it is difficult to comprehend how did they underperform so much. He hoped that Sri Lanka will rise again.

Harsha Bhogle said

“Sri Lanka have so many questions to answer. How can a team with talents like Nissanka, Mendis, Samarawickrama, Asalanka, Madushanka and Theekshana, just to name 6, underperform so much?
My view from outside, and it may not be the most informed view, is that it begins with intent at the top and that the word “interim” cannot be permanent. I hope Sri Lanka rises again.”

A significant factor behind Sri Lanka’s batting woes was the brilliance of Trent Boult, New Zealand’s seasoned fast bowler. Boult’s impeccable swing bowling and knack for extracting movement troubled the Sri Lankan top-order. His early wickets established his dominance and underlined his importance to the New Zealand side. By the end of his spell, Boult’s figures of 3 for 37 had significantly contributed to Sri Lanka’s struggles.

However, amidst the early collapse and a seeming lack of hope, Kusal Perera emerged as the lone warrior for Sri Lanka. With determination and grit, Perera launched a spirited counterattack against the New Zealand bowlers. His ability to find boundaries with aggressive stroke play and accelerate the scoring was remarkable. Perera achieved a significant milestone by reaching a half-century in just 22 deliveries, marking the joint second-fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan batsman in ODI World Cups. His aggressive approach was a ray of hope for Sri Lanka, even in the face of adversity.

Nonetheless, the issue for Sri Lanka lay in the lack of substantial support from the middle-order batsmen. Despite Perera’s valiant efforts, the middle-order struggled to build partnerships and provide the necessary stability. Batsmen like Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva tried to resist, but they couldn’t sustain the momentum against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. The middle-order’s inability to hold firm ultimately proved to be a critical factor in Sri Lanka’s inability to post a competitive total.

As the match unfolded, New Zealand’s dominance became evident. Despite dropping a few catches, they comfortably controlled the game and secured a convincing victory. For Sri Lanka, the margin of defeat left them languishing in ninth place, thereby falling out of contention for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Their only hope now is that other teams, such as England or Bangladesh, suffer losses that significantly impact their respective net run rates, allowing Sri Lanka to qualify.

Sri Lanka’s disappointing batting performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand was a significant setback for their campaign. While Kusal Perera’s spirited resistance provided a glimpse of hope, the early collapse, a lack of middle-order support, and New Zealand’s disciplined bowling all contributed to their downfall. With their Champions Trophy qualification at stake, Sri Lanka’s hopes now rest on the outcomes of other matches, making the road ahead uncertain and challenging.

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