Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews gives the thumbs up after his side's win over India at the Oval in London on Thursday. Getty ImagesIt was a win to savor for the fairly inexperienced Sri Lankans as they chased down 322 to stun the fancied Indians by seven wickets and keep their semifinal hopes alive in the ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval on Thursday. Going into the match, very few believed the islanders could even stretch the holders let alone pull off an upset win.
The Lankans have traditionally punched above their weight in ICC events and Virat Kohli's men found out the harsh truth on a flat track. India were expected to steamroller their opponents after thumping Pakistan by 124 runs in their opening match. But, just like Pakistan's shock win over South Africa on Wednesday, Angelo Mathews' boys cared little for the reputation and waded into the Indian bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and seamer Hardik Pandya were taken for plenty, while pace spearhead Umesh Yadav could not stem the flow of runs. The very fact that Indian bowlers could pick up only one wicket, the other two being run outs, proved how ineffective they were on a true batting surface.
Solid stand
The Sri Lankan win was set up by the 159-run partnership for the second wicket between opener Danushka Gunathilaka (76) and Kusal Mendis (89). Southpaw Gunathilaka, who came into the side in place of the suspended Upul Tharanga, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The right-handed Mendis upset Kohli's plans by launching into Jadeja and as a result the Indian captain was forced to bring himself and part-time off-spinner Kedar Jadhav on to fill in the overs.
Kusal Mendis was adjudged man-of-the-match for his sparkling 89. Getty ImagesThough both Gunathilaka and Mendis were run out, Kusal Perera and comeback-man Mathews made sure Sri Lanka remained in control. Though Perera was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury, new man Asela Gunaratne's cameo took them over the line. It was fitting that Mathews, returning to international duty after a gap of 10 months, hit the winning runs. The skipper's calm presence was what the Lankans needed in a huge run chase and he delivered at the crunch yet again.
Virtual quarterfinals
The two remaining Group B fixtures – India versus South Africa on Sunday and Sri Lanka-Pakistan on Monday – have become virtual quarterfinals. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have breathed life and excitement into what has been a largely disappointing tournament with their stunning wins.
The Indian team management will have no option but to include off-spinner R. Ashwin for the all-important game against the Proteas to add more variety to their attack. In that case Jadhav or Pandya will have to sit out and the Men in Blue have to take that risk in the do-or-die clash.
