Sri Lanka’s young guns surprise India with 7-wicket win in Match 8 of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Group B clash

Sri Lanka’s young guns eased them to successful record chase, triumphing India by 7 wickets in Match 8 of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Group B clash at The Oval. This is also the highest run-chase against India by any team in ODIs. The list of records goes on as it was the second such instance of successful 300-plus run chase in this tournament. England chased down 306 (scored 308) with ease in the inaugural match against Bangladesh and this time Sri Lanka emerged victorious. Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka’s 159-run stole the game away from India. But it was Angelo Mathews and Asela Gunaratne’s 51-run stand that helped Sri Lanka earn the crucial 2 point. Playing together for the first time — Mathews and Gunaratne, remained unbeaten on 52 and 34 respectively. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Sri Lanka, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Match 8 at The Oval

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the only bowler to pick up a wicket and ended with figures of 1 for 54. In a bid to chase 322, Sri Lanka deeply felt the absence of Upul Tharanga’s blistering start. Both the openers were struggling against Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar. By the fourth over, Bhuvneshwar provided the first breakthrough to India removing Dickwella who misjudged a knuckle ball, was caught at point by Ravindra Jadeja. Since, Gunathilaka and new batsman Mendis continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers. First Gunathilaka picked Yadav’s bouncer for a six and then followed it up with a four through cover. By the first Powerplay, Sri Lanka were almost at the same score as that of India – 44 for 1.

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Virat Kohli introduced Jasprit Bumrah into attack and was soon punished with a boundary from Mendis. They in no time built 50-run stand, with a single off Hardik Pandya. There were also some sloppy fielding around by India as Pandya dropped a catch of Mendis who was playing on 24. Meanwhile, Gunathilaka continued his onslaught as he inched closer to his fifty with successive fours and then raising his fourth ODI fifty and second in this venue with a six over mid-wicket.

Kohli continued to shuffle between Bumrah, Jadeja and Pandya to break the growing partnership. The skipper then decided to bring part-timer Kedar Jadhav who impressed on the go with his good length. The skipper took the matter into his hands and bowled a poor delivery as Mendis pulled a poor delivery to the fence. India found the much-needed stroke of luck courtesy a mix up between Gunathilaka and Mendis. The 159-run stand was broken courtesy a run out where Dhoni’s fast hands played a role. Gunathilaka also was gone for 76.

Mendis and Perera continued from where it was left. They did try to add some momentum with their 26-run stand and also got a second chance as Rohit dropped a catch. Bhuvneshwar returned for his spell and brought life to Indian contingent present at The Oval. Mendis was run out with a direct hit by Bhuvneshwar, thereby missing his century by 11 runs. That built Sri Lanka’s tally of run outs in this tournament (4).

Where Pakistan surprised South Africa last night, Sri Lanka were in a similar spree to achieve a famous win. Perera and Mathews repaired the damage done and upset the Indian bowlers. In no time, Mathews and Perera added 50-run stand by the 40th over. By the 41st over, Sri Lanka needed 67 off 54 to keep their chances alive.

But Perera was soon seen limping due to an injurted hamstring. He was batting well before retiring hurt and Gunaratne walked out ahead of the seasoned Dinesh Chandimal. The partnership of unbeaten 75 was on standby between Mathews and Perera. Mathews and Gunaratne made the task easier as the latter picked the length and began his chase with a six towards fine leg.

Gunaratne was unstoppable with successive boundaries and brought the equation to 32 off 30 with 5 overs to spare. In the last five preceding overs, India leaked 49 runs. Gunaratne was cruising at 28-ball 16 while Mathews was limping at 40-ball 45 as Sri Lanka needed just 13 off 18 balls to win. It was a cakewalk from there.

Earlier, put into bat first, Shikhar Dhawan led India’s charge with blistering 125, eventually piling up 321, the fourth highest Champions Trophy score. Dhawan’s continued his form from the previous game as he brought up his 10th ODI century and his third in Champions Trophy. Dhawan also received strong support from opener Rohit who scored 78 and Dhoni with his heroics of 52-ball 63.

Malinga was generous in his first ball as Rohit caressed to a boundary. Dhawan also joined the party swiping Suranga Lakmal’s delivery to the fence. Rohit and Dhawan broke several records. They first secured 9th 50-run stand following it up with 10th 100-run stand in ODIs. However, Sharma’s 79-ball 78 innings came to an end Malinga got the better of the opener. It was followed by Kohli also being dismissed in the successive over.

Dhawan and Dhoni’s 82-run stand tilted the game back to India’s favour. In the process, Dhoni also got to his fifty and built crucial partnership with Jadhav and Pandya. Sri Lanka went on to leak 103 runs off last 10 overs.

Brief scores:

India 321 for 5 in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 125, Rohit Sharma 78, MS Dhoni 63; Lasith Malinga 2 for 70) lose to Sri Lanka 322 for 3 in 50 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 76, Kusal Mendis 89, Angelo Mathews 52*; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1 for 54) by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Kusal Mendis