Cricket Classics - Part XXXVii : Sri Lanka vs India – 2017 Champions Trophy
Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,
Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.
So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. I am with another iconic match.
Well, currently, the Sri Lankan team is not performing as well as they used to in our childhood. And the shit started to happen after 2015, precisely after the retirements of Sanga and Mahela. A decade later, we couldn't get over it and going in to deeper and deeper. Anyway, we had our moments to time along the way.
Well, the ICC Champions Trophy is another prestigious event in World Cricket, played every four years, featuring the top 8 teams in the ranking. So, 2017 was its eighth edition, hosted by England and Wales from 1 to 18 June 2017. And Pakistan became the champion, defeating India in the final.
Anyway, this is about something that happened in that series, which surprised the whole world. The young and inexperienced Sri Lankan team defeated the mighty Indians in a high-scoring thriller, reminding us of the good old days.
It was the 8th Match of Group B in London. The Indian team was led by Virat Kohli with players like Rohit Sharma, Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, etc. Just an amazing team with huge potential and legendary players. On the other hand Sri Lankan team was captained by Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera, and Lasith Malinga were the only experienced players, with many young and new talents. Eventhough everyone expected a one-sided match, the tide turned the other way.
India started the batting, and it was just perfect. Dhawan and Rohit had it all under control, making a 138-run stand for the first wicket. Sharma scored 78 runs, and Dhawan, on the other side, stayed until the end, scoring a magnificent 125 runs with 15 fours and one six. Anyhow, their start was a bit slow, and Sri Lankan ballers could grab Kohli for a duck, and Youvraj for just 7 runs after the first wicket.
But Indian batting was too deep. Dhoni hammered a quick 63 runs, and with Dhawan, he kept going. And with a small cameo from Kedar Jadhav, India nailed 321/6 in their 50 overs. In these conditions with their ballers, that's really competitive.
Anyhow, what followed was one of the most fearless run chases in ODI history. Chasing 322, Sri Lanka began positively eventhough after losing Dickwella early. The Indian team was continuously trying to intimidate the batters, but they were always on the upper side.
We were at 11/1 after 5 overs. Then Kusal Mendis joined Danushka Gunathilaka in the middle. These two added 159 runs for the second wicket in 22 overs. Danushka Gunathilaka scored 76 off 72 balls, and Kusal Mendis added 89 off 93 balls, and they were so confident, aggressive, and rotating the strike as well.
Then Kusal Perera added another quick 47 runs before he was retired hurt. Then the captain Angelo Mathews took the final baton with Asela Gunarathna. Mathews scored 52 runs off 45 balls, while Gune was attacking towards the end. Sri Lanka needed 43 off the last 6 overs. As they were always up to the required run rate, it became comfortable for them, even with Bumrah in the last overs.
Gunarathna particularly picked on the ballers, scoring an important 34 runs off 21 balls. Sri Lanka won the match with 7 wickets and 8 balls remaining. It was very special for a nation looking for hope with a young team. A 300+ chase against India’s world-class attack in English conditions; you do the math.
See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.
src - ESPNcricinfo
wikipedia
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