The 44th match of the ICC World Cup 2019 saw India take on Sri Lanka at the Leeds, Headingley and registered their seventh win in 9 matches. It was a dominating performance from the Men in Blue, who gave no hope to the Lankans at all.
Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first. But Bumrah’s two wickets put them in a precarious position at 55/4 in 12 overs. Then Angelo Mathews (113) and Lahiru Thirimanne (53) added 124 precious runs and with Dhananjaya de Silva’s 29* took them to 264/7 in 50 overs. Jasprit Bumrah picked 3/37, while Bhuvneshwar, Pandya, Kuldeep, and Jadeja picked one wicket each.
Indian reply was based on a massive 189-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who broke their own record of 180 runs, to register the highest first-wicket stand for India in World Cups. Rohit made 103 in 94 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes, while Rahul made 111 in 118 balls with 11 fours and 1 six. Rahul fell for 244 runs on the board, but then Kohli and Rishabh Pant made sure India entered their semi-final match in a positive mood. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 34, while Pandya stayed not out on seven.
India registered a brilliant 7-wicket win and for Sri Lanka, Malinga, Rajitha and Udana were the wicket-takers. This was also the last World Cup match for Lasith Malinga and last match of umpire Ian Gould’s umpiring career.
Cricket fraternity was elated at KL Rahul finally getting a century, his second in ODIs, since his debut one against Zimbabwe in 2016. They praised the lad and the Indian team with congratulatory tweets.
