Sri Lanka defied all odds and pulled off an upset at the Oval, blowing Group B wide open by beating India by seven wickets.
After winning the toss and sending India in to bat, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had to endure a horrid opening session.
Shikhar Dhawan scored his 10th century and combined with Rohit Sharma (78 off 79 balls) to set an opening stand of 138.
Dhawan went on to score 125, holding his side’s innings together, despite losing Kohli for a duck and Yuvraj Singh for 7.
After guiding India to 261-3, Dhawan lost his wicket and left MS Dhoni at the crease, who showed his exprience to take his side past 300.
India finished on 321-6 and it seemed that they did enough to secure a semi-final spot.
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After the innings break, a master-class batting display by Sri Lanka’s top order saw them complete their highest ever ODI run chase.
India, however, struck the first blow, grabbing an early wicket through Bhuvneshwar Kumar, dismissing the dangerous Niroshan Dickwella for 7 in the fifth over.
Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis were reluctant to let the early wicket affect them and they steadied the ship, as they took their side past the 100-run mark through a century second-wicket stand.
The pair put on 159 as Sri Lanka marched to 170, before Gunathilaka was run-out in the 28th over after a 72-ball 76.
Mendis continued to power forward after reaching his fifty off 65 balls. The 22-year-old showed maturity beyond his years with a calculating knock of 89, before he too was run-out, with Sri Lanka just four runs short of the 200-mark.
With just over 27 overs remaining, Kusal Perera sparked Sri Lanka’s recovery and batted smartly to shake away the slight pressure inflicted by Mendis’ scalp, but his innings was cut short after straining his hamstring and retiring hurt on 47.
Angelo Mathews, back from an injury, took his side home, hitting 52 off 45 balls to reach his 33rd half-century. Supported by Downdegedara Gunaratne’s 21-ball 34, the Sri Lanka skipper secured a seven-wicket victory with eight balls remaining.
A thrilling finale awaits in the final round of Group B, with the winners of both matches progressing to the semi-final.
India will take on South Africa and Sri Lanka will face Pakistan, in what has shaped into two quarterfinal bouts.
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
