SL beat India by 7 wickets in Champions Trophy clash

8 June 2017 11:39 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka staged a superb run chase to stun India and keep alive their Champions Trophy challenge as Kusal Mendis inspired a famous seven-wicket victory over the holders on Thursday.

Needing 322 to avoid a second successive Group B defeat, Sri Lanka powered to a memorable triumph at The Oval thanks to key contributions from Mendis (89), Danushka Gunathilaka (76) and captain Angelo Mathews (52).

Mathews admitted earlier this week that many experts expected his underdogs to be thrashed by in-form India.

But Sri Lanka defied the odds to win with eight balls to spare and they can qualify for the semi-finals if they beat Pakistan in their final group match in Cardiff on June 12.

After losing by 99 runs against South Africa in their opener, that would be a remarkable turnaround for a young Sri Lanka team in the midst of a major rebuilding project.

India's failure to secure a second consecutive win after thumping arch rivals Pakistan was a major surprise and they must beat South Africa at The Oval on Sunday to avoid a humiliating exit.

Shikhar Dhawan's 125 had put India in a strong position as the holders piled up 321 for six. The 31-year-old hit 15 fours and one six in his 128-ball innings, receiving strong support from Rohit Sharma (78) and MS Dhoni (63), but it wasn't enough.

India had only themselves to blame after squandering the momentum given to them by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for seven when the opener's edge was caught by Ravindra Jadeja.

Needing what would be a record run chase in ODIs staged at The Oval, Gunathilaka 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.

Hardik Pandya had a chance to remove Mendis with the score on 70-1, but the young all-rounder dropped a chance off his own bowling. (Times of India)

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Comments - 25

Kadiya Friday, 09 June 2017 06:51 AM

Should have seen Virat's face after SL won against all odds- like a 'kolikuttu'! Congrats boys, now go an thrash the Pakis!

Dr Vu Ratnayake Saturday, 10 June 2017 07:15 PM

But I like Dickwellas movements on the crease. That shows how alert he is. some need this quick movement to keep him alive to the situation. I did see how he played agianst South Africa. He did the same but did arvellously well then

ghostlanka Saturday, 10 June 2017 12:10 PM

What are you guys talking about, CHANDIMAL, KAPU. FOR WHAT? crazy. KHOLI is not to be at the end of our happy jokes.We should concentrate where we failed. THISARA PERERA. that idiot gave sixty runs. and how many times this man had his chances.SELECTORS should stop ruining careers of all 41 new players we had tried since 2015 WC. Are all of you insane out for your local English brains. DONT YOU SEE THE PROBLEM, this team has being at the butt end of alma mater schoolboy senile critics. They want THEIR BOYS in the National Team, Ara Joshpehian, Ara Ananda, Nalanda, Peters, Maria Stella so and soo bull

Ali Friday, 09 June 2017 12:33 PM

Well done guys

nihal denipitiya Friday, 09 June 2017 10:08 AM

congratulations my dear boys. i am very proud of you.i think our fitness should increase. some of them withbig bellies. please cut down the carbohydrates

SL Friday, 09 June 2017 09:30 AM

Congrats,youngsters have given their contribution ,This was the same during the SA match but ,Chandimal and Kapu was unable to continue.Better replace Chandimal with a stable batsman for the next game. Tharanga will be the best but he can not play the next game as well.

Ali Hu Kai Friday, 09 June 2017 09:05 AM

Its always good be the 'Underdogs'.

Martin Milton Friday, 09 June 2017 09:00 AM

VERY well done Sri Lanka. You took Sanga's excellent advice and with this renewed confidence beat India. We need more and more and MORE such wins from Sri Lanka as they have an extremely capable young team full of promise. Please NEVER lose confidence and go on to the field with confidence. Hurrah!! MM

cheers Friday, 09 June 2017 08:32 AM

Never thought we were in the game when India batted and I gave up during the 40th over of the indian innings but you have surprised me when i woke up this morning. Great work guys chasing 300 against india is no joke but you showed what the Lions are capable of

srilankan Friday, 09 June 2017 08:21 AM

Its a great feeling to see our team beat India! and its more or so satisfying to see young bloods doing it!!! Hats off... but lets not get carried away with Mathews return and his performance. He is absolutely a good player but not a good captain. just because he has performed in one match does not merit any special recognition. it was the partnership between Guna and Medis which setup this win if not we would have fallen like a pack of cards....lets not forget that.

Ajja Friday, 09 June 2017 07:49 AM

Congratulation boys for that tremendous effort but it is so pathetic to see the joyful Indian faces getting diminished after Srilankans getting closer to the target.Looks so unsporty and selfish.

dulan Friday, 09 June 2017 07:23 AM

Gunathilake's innings was the best .

ANTON Friday, 09 June 2017 06:58 AM

ACTUALLY OUR YOUNGSTERS HAVE HIDDEN TALENT, THEY ARE CERTAIN TO BRING THE BIG CUP HOME.

Nalina Friday, 09 June 2017 12:00 AM

Well done guys!. Good slap to those who undermined you. Keep up the momentum.

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 09 June 2017 06:50 AM

May the euphoria continue at least after Pakistan Match!

IVJ Friday, 09 June 2017 06:44 AM

Watched every single ball of the Sri Lankan innings. The way out batsmen negotiated the Indian bowlers was very encouraging. Our boys showed a lot of maturity and good temperament. The only wicket the Indian bowlers took was due to Dikwella's mistake rather than excellent bowling. Dikwella is a great bat but he should get into a good balance before hitting the ball without moving around the crease too much. Hopefully these small mistakes will be corrected at the game with Pakistan. Our fitness level is still a worry though.Good luck Angelo and the boys!

AjithZ Friday, 09 June 2017 06:40 AM

Congratulations. Super performance. If the team click together like this in other matches also, nothing beyond them. Good luck.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 09 June 2017 06:03 AM

Fantastic performance by the "under dogs",

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 09 June 2017 04:58 AM

Classic example of turning tables!

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 09 June 2017 04:50 AM

Congratulations and thanks boys. After a long time I was lucky to give a "HIGH FIVE" to my son after a match.

S.H.Moulana Friday, 09 June 2017 03:54 AM

Congratulations boys at last you gave us an opportunity to celebrate. Finally our young stars shone and they should not look back. The victory was in real style winning by 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare, beating the favorite India chasing a mammoth total of 321. The next hurdle is on Monday, we are confident that you can beat Pakistan and qualify for the semi-finals. You can do it boys you have got the all important self confidence now. Good luck boys, we are with you.

Akeed Friday, 09 June 2017 01:42 AM

An unexpected but pleasant surprise

Hautaum Friday, 09 June 2017 12:54 AM

Muralletharan shall comment about SL players now as he questioned about SL players capacity in IPL.

Upul Friday, 09 June 2017 12:25 AM

Congratulations to the SL team for a wonderfully played game. This shows that the youngsters can play responsibly when the need arises. Keep it up and good luck to the SL team.

Casanova Friday, 09 June 2017 12:08 AM

Well done Lankans, both India and Sri lanka teams needed this game to finish this way, as the former needed their cockiness to be neutralized and the latter needed their morale to be boosted. Hip Hip Hooray.

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SL beat India by 7 wickets in Champions Trophy clash

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