Not many would have predicted that Afghanistan, who held the record of just a solitary win in World Cups prior to this edition, and the Netherlands, the only associate nation in the tournament, would be vying for a semifinal berth this deep into the mega event.

India seamer Mohammed Shami insisted "it's not rocket science" as he became his country's most successful World Cup bowler on Thursday in the 302-run demolition of Sri Lanka.

The biggest facet, and also a noticeable one, of this World Cup has been top-order carnage that has not only allowed teams to put on huge scores batting first but also made it more important than ever for top-order batters to assert their dominance in their approach of chasing down the big targets thrown at them.

Some fiery fast bowling from India’s Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj lit up their World Cup encounter with Sri Lanka and helped the unbeaten hosts secure a thumping 302-run victory yesterday, becoming the first side to book a semi-final spot.

Sri Lanka's decision to field in sweltering conditions in Mumbai during their World Cup match on Thursday surprised many and India batsman Shreyas Iyer felt that the hosts got lucky.

India hammered Sri Lanka by 302 runs in Mumbai on Thursday as the unbeaten tournament hosts reached the World Cup semi-finals with a crushing victory.

Sri Lanka collapsed to three for four in their World Cup match against India in Mumbai on Thursday as the unbeaten hosts closed in on a win that would secure a semi-final place.

“India looks unstoppable and it will take something extraordinary to beat them,” Akram told A Sports.

Afridi zeroed in on Babar’s failure to win matches for Pakistan with the bat, which the likes of Kohli and KL Rahul have been doing for hosts India.

Virat Kohli missed out on equalling Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 49 one-day international hundreds but still helped India to an imposing 357-8 against Sri Lanka as the unbeaten World Cup hosts put one foot in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Shahidi’s performances so far in this World Cup have forced everyone to take notice of the southpaw. 

Virat Kohli made 88 in a World Cup match against Sri Lanka on Thursday to leave him still one century shy of equalling fellow India great Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 49 one-day international hundreds.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field against hosts India in their World Cup game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today.

Jamieson, previously with the squad in India as cover for Tim Southee, will arrive in Bengaluru late on Thursday ahead of Saturday's pool game against Pakistan.

Under captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan are enjoying their best-ever World Cup campaign and the team looks destined for more glory at the mega event in India.

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has left their World Cup campaign and headed home for personal reasons, Cricket Australia announced on their website.

Tournament hosts India, bidding for a third World Cup title, are the only unbeaten side left in the 10-team event heading into their pool match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede on Thursday.

The hosts will take on Sri Lanka at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday in a bid to extend their winning streak to seven and seal a semi-final spot.

A high-flying South Africa made several records with unstoppable Quinton de Kock being at the center of the most during their World Cup game against another tournament favourites New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune yesterday.

India can lock in their spot in the knockout stages with victory over a Sri Lanka outfit needing to upset the hosts to keep their own hopes of progress alive at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.