Sri Lanka’s Epic Run Chase Stuns India:- A superb run chase that has been staged by Sri Lanka stunned India and kept alive their Champions Trophy Challenge, as Kusal Mendis inspired a famous seven-wicket victory over the holders yesterday.
The Lankans, needing a 322 to avoid a second successive Group B defeat, powered to a memorable victory at The Oval. All thanks to the key contibutions from Mendis, who scored 89 off 93 balls, and Danushka Gunathilaka who hit 76 runs in just 72 balls and the captain Angelo Mathews - Not out, who scored a half century in just 45 balls.
Earlier this week, Mathews admitted that many experts expected his underdogs to be thrashed by in-form India. All the odds were however defied by the Lankans, to win with eight balls to spare.
They can qualify for the semi’s if they beat Pakistan, in their final group match that is scheduled to be held in Cardiff on June 12.
In the midst of a major rebuilding project, this victory would be a remarkable turn around for a young Sri Lanka team, after losing by 99 runs against South Africa in their opener.
And now, to avoid a humiliating exit, India must beat South Africa at The Oval on Sunday. India’s defeat to secure a second consecutive win after thumping arch rivals, Pakistan was a major surprise.
Shikar Dhawan’s 125 runs had put India in a strong position, as the holders piled up for 321/6. In his 128-ball innings, he hit 15 fours, and one six, receiving strong support from Rohi Sharma who hit 78 runs in 79 balls, and MS Dhoni who scored 63 runs in 52 balls. But, however, this was not enough.
After squandering the momentum given to them by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kumar dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for seven when the opener’s edge was caught by Ravindra Jadeja. It was Gunathilaka next who set about giving Sri lanka hope. He hit Umesh Yadav for a sky-scraping six and, together with the aggressive Mendis, imposed himself well enough to build a quick-fire 50 partnership.
The young-all rounder had a chance to dismiss Mendis, with the score on 70/1, but he dropped a chance off his own bowling. The holders were beginning to worry, by the time Sri lanka reached 108/1 in the 20th over.
The world’s top ranked ODI bowler, Ravindra Jadeja was slapped away for four by Mendis. Jadeja scored a half century with his first six. An audacious reverse sweep for four by Gunathilaka off Jadeja showed Sri Lanka’s rising confidence, which hold spiked higher after the diving Rohit Sharma dropped Gunathilaka.
Mathews, crucially playing his first ODI since August after a calf injury, came in to steady the ship with a nerveless innings.
Assisted by the opportunistic hitting of Kusal Perera, he turned the tide back in his team’s favor. Gunaratne came in to spank a pair of sixes and Mathews saw them over the finish line, to complete their combined highest ever ODI run chase.
Sri Lanka Squad :
Asela Gunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Thisara Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal
India Squad :
Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav
India Vs Sri Lanka
321/6 (50) 322/3 (48.4)
Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
Score Card:
SUPRAJA
