#3 159: Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis vs India, The Oval
Until the first half of this clash between favourites India and a relatively weaker Sri Lankan team, things took place as predicted. India’s forceful batting posted a substantial 321 on the board following a firm 125 from Shikhar Dhawan and able half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.
A target as mammoth as 322 for an inexperienced order seemed far from reachable, further confirmed with the early blow of Niroshan Dickwella. In came the exciting Kusal Mendis to join Danushka Gunathilaka, and they staged a partnership few had fancied.
Never letting the required run rate touch seven, both began cautiously and helped tick the scoreboard along persistently. But it did not take long for them to take the offensive option as boundaries came at will. Mendis attacked both pace and spin, reserving special treatment for Ravindra Jadeja. Gunathilaka resorted to the reverse-sweep and drove down the ground brilliantly, whereas Mendis batted with a calmness unexpected from a young man during a big chase.
They added 159 and eventually, their partnership could only be broken by a run out, but Gunathilaka had smashed 76 off 72 while Mendis, also run out five overs later, smacked 89 off 93. Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera and Asela Gunaratne did the mopping job and Sri Lanka recorded the highest chase in Champions Trophy history.
