ICC World Cup 2019 Match 44 Played at Headingly, Leeds on 6th July
India Vs Sri Lanka
Brief Scorecard: India 265/3 (RG Sharma 103, KL Rahul 111, V Kohli 34*) beat Sri Lanka 264/7 (AD Matthews 113, HDRL Thirmanne 53,DM de Silva 29*, JJ Bumrah 3/57, R Jadeja 1/40, H Pandya 1/50, Kuldeep Yadav 1/58, B Kumar 1/73) by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
DHAKA: An all-round India looking great before knock out powered their South Asian neighbor Sri Lanka with a thumping 7 wicket win. After getting reduced to 4/55 by the 12th over Sri Lanka was shouldered by Matthews (113) and Thirmanne (53) doing the rescue works with a 154 5th wicket partnership. But rest of the batting looked pretty ordinary against diverse India attack championed by mystery bowler Bumrah and steady spinners. Sri Lanka could reach 264/7.
Indian big gun Rohit (103 in 94 deliveries) produced yet another scintillating batting display. He added a new page in world cup cricket scoring 5 centuries. This time his mate KL Rahul (111) also scored a century. India cruised home scoring 265/3 with VK remaining not out scoring 34. With a huge win by 7 wickets India waited for the outcome of Australia South Africa match later in the day for its semi final date. Sri Lanka left WC2019 quiet content with 8 points and 6th position. They will have the pleasure of creating huge ripples in the World Cup out gunning host and hot favorites England. Weather God was also kind to them early them two important points through two rain ruined matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Australia, India and England three musketeers of world cricket for their sheer performance were pre tournament favorites. They arguably got some favors of few things. It was always a ponder which other team would join them in the elite group of fout. Strong South Africa looked a disjointed unit and lost their way. Pakistan was as unpredictable. Sun shine one day, cloudy other. West Indies did not have the consistency or control. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka threatened for a while. But New Zealand making dashing start just survived out stripping Pakistan on better net run rate. It required the last of the 45 matches to decide the semi final. With all three of the ICC favored teams in the top four including the 2015 champions, runners up, ICC ranked first and second team (also the host) semi finals may witness mouth watering contests .
The match was all about India’s power full batting at the top. The top three RG, KLR and VK didn't quite let their middle order tested one last time before the semi-final. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul sewed together India's fourth century for the opening stand in the tournament. Both scored centuries of their own in their merry own modes, and led India to 15 points at the end of the group stage as they galloped to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Rohit struck 14 fours and 2 towering sixes in his 94 balls 103. Rahul’s innings of 111 contained 11 fours and a six. Their partnership produced 189 of the 265 India required for the win. Their scintillating stroke play ranged from sublime to borderline arrogance. Rohit in the process entered the record book once again scoring his 5th century in the world cup. Young Rahul also matched his prolific partner stroke for stroke. India is blessed that they could find such a brilliant youngster replacing injured Shikhar Dhawan at the top.
Earlier on the day Sri Lanka was left bleeding on the floor with early strikes by Bumrah, Pandya and Jadeja reducing them to 4/55 by the 12th over. Budding youngsters Karunaratne, Perera, Medis and Fernanndo were all sent back to the hut. Two senior pros Mathhews and Thirmanne weathering the storm rescued Sri Lanka with 124 runs 5th wicket partnership. Mathhews went on capping his efforts with a century scoring 113. Thirmanne scored 53. Bumrah was the peak of the Indian bowlers taking 3 for 32 in his 10 miserly overs. India rested Shami and Chahal on the day giving Jadeja an opportunity and sticking with Kathik. But the batting of the both could not be tested.
India looking great before the business session of the world cup with all avenues covered.
BDST: 0942 HRS, JUL 7, 2019
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