Cricket Classics - Part Xvi : India vs Sri Lanka – 1st ODI, 2009 (Rajkot Thriller)
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.
For me, usually, it doesn't hurt a lot after losing a match unless it's a crucial World Cup game. But this one, even after 15+ years I still remember the pain at that moment. Coming so close to chasing a big total, against a tough opponent on their home soil, and still being the losing side. I guess most of you watched this one.
In November 2009, the Sri Lanka team went to India for a big series with three Tests, five ODIs, and two T20Is. The series was called the Jaypee Cup.
Sri Lanka had one of the best teams to date under the captaincy of Sangakkara, along with Mahela, Dilshan, Tharanga, Sanath, Kulasekara, Mathews, etc. India is just the same under Dhoni, with Sachin, Shevag, Raina, Gambhir, Harbhajan, Zaheer Khan, etc.
It was on 15 December 2009, at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, but it wasn't a great decision. Indian openers, Sachin and Shevag started to hammer the ballers like crazy. We saw the usual attacking style from Shevag and classic, sensible batting from Sachin. These two added 153 runs for the first wicket in just 19 overs.
After Sachin got out for 69 runs off 63 balls, Dhoni came to the middle as the one down. Then it was just firecrackers. Two similar players attackers were playing for fun. These two set a partnership of 156 runs in just 16 overs. Virender Sehwag scored 146 runs off 102 balls, becoming the main headache. His inning included 17 4s and 06 6s.
MS Dhoni added a quick 72 off 53 balls. From there a few wickets fell, but with quick cameos from Kohli, and Jadeja India crossed the 400 mark. At the end of 50 overs, India finished at 414/7. It was their highest ODI total at the time, and still, it's the second-highest.
Well, without a doubt, it was a very tough task for us, and nobody had a big hope, until some counterattack from the Sri Lankan openers. Tharanga and Dilshan came out for a mission, and these two did exactly like the Indian openers. We started a bit slowly but did accelerate in the last few overs of powerplay adding 81/0 runs. From there we played aggressively specially from Dilshan. These two scored 188 runs for the first wicket in 24 overs. Upul Tharanga departed for 67 runs off 60 balls.
Then came Kumara Sangakkara, still with a very big ask. He played one of the best-attacking innings in his entire career, completely changing his style. His 90 runs off 43 balls completely brought the match towards as. For the second wicket, they added 128 runs in 12 overs. We just needed 124 runs in the last 15 overs, with 9 wickets remaining. Very positive.
But after Sanga's wicket, a few other wickets fell suddenly. Especially the set batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan. His 160 runs off 124 balls, were a treat to the eyes.
Anyhow, Thilina Kandamby and Mathews partnered well taking the chase very closer. In the last 5 overs, we just needed 32 runs with 5 wickets remaining, with the advantage of Batting powerplay as well. But can you believe, from there we lost?
- over 46 from Ashish Nehra - 5 runs
- over 47 from Zaheer Khan - 5 runs
- over 48 from Ashish Nehra - 7 runs
- over 49 from Zaheer Khan - 4 runs & 2 wickets
- over 50 from Ashish Nehra - 7 runs & 1 wicket
Dhoni managed his two fast ballers well, and they executed it nicely. We needed 11 runs from the final over and ended up scoring just 411/8, losing the match by just 3 runs.
That's the nature of the game. It's one of the most thrilling and shocking finishes. Sri Lanka came so close, and still couldn't finish it in style.
See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.
src - Wikipedia
espncricinfo
Thank you.
Best Regards!