Sri Lanka stuns the defending Champions India by 7 wickets to keep the semi-finals hopes alive which was played at Kennington Oval, London. Despite India scoring 321, the Sri Lanka batsmen especially Kusal Mendis and Gunathilka provided a solid foundation for such memorable win.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to field at Oval, London. The Indian innings got off to a positive start with a boundary on the very first ball by Rohit Sharma. Shikhar Dhawan also continued from where he left against Pakistan. At the end of first 10 overs, India scored 48 runs.
After the first 10 overs, both batsmen played the Sri Lankan bowlers taking singles and hitting the bad balls away for boundaries. Rohit Sharma completed his half century in 58 balls. He continued to play the Sri Lankan bowlers with freedom and was finally dismissed for 78 in 79 balls to end a 138 runs partnership for the first wicket. It was the second successive 100 runs partnership between these two batsmen in Champions Trophy 2017. In the next over, Virat Kohli failed to open his account as he was dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep. Shikhar Dhawan completed his half century in 69 balls.
Yuvraj Singh struggled to time the ball and was dismissed by Gunaranthe for 7. MS Dhoni came to the crease and took few balls to settle while Dhawan completed his century in 112 balls. Both Dhoni and Dhawan smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers. The left handed batsman was dismissed for a brilliant 125. Dhoni looked at his old best scoring his 50 in 46 balls, was dismissed for 63. Kedar Jadhav scored a quick fire 25 in 13 balls and remained not out. India made a competitive total of 321 for 6 in 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 322, Sri Lanka innings did not get off to a good start with Dickwella dismissed for just 7 runs. Kusal Mendis and Gunathilka steadied the innings with positive strokes. At the end of first 10 overs, Sri Lanka was 44 for 1. After the powerplay overs, both the batsmen played with good intent taking singles and hitting the bad balls away for boundaries. They looked in great touch as both of them completed their respective half centuries. Sri Lanka lost the wicket of Gunathilkha for 76 runs ending a 159 runs partnership. Soon after Kusal Mendis was brilliantly run out by Bhuvneshwar Kumar off his own bowling for 89.
Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera attacked the Indian bowlers keeping the asking run rate under control. Perera had to retired hurt due to hamstring injury before putting 75 runs for the fourth wicket. After that Gunaranthe came and played a cameo knock of 34 in 21 balls. Angelo Mathews completed his half century scoring the winning runs. Sri Lanka won the match by 7 wickets with 8 balls. This keeps Group B alive as India-South Africa match on Sunday and Pakistan- Sri Lanka match on Monday becomes virtual quarter finals.
Sri Lanka 322 for 3 in 48.4 overs ( Kusal Mendis 89, Gunathilka 76, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/54) beat India 321 for 6 ( Shikhar Dhawan 125, Rohit Sharma 78, Dhoni 63, Lasith Malinga 2/70) by 7 wickets
Sri Lanka 2 India 0
