10 Best ODI Matches of the Century

#9 India vs Sri Lanka (15th December 2009, Rajkot)

India v Sri Lanka-2009

Ask any Sri Lankan fan, this bout will be at the peak of the table in terms of sorrow.

Virender Sehwag was dazzling and provided the early shove and along with Sachin Tendulkar put together a partnership of 153 for the first wicket. Ravindra Jadeja provided the final knock with a 17 ball 30 and India ended at 414. In reply, Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan got Sri Lanka off to a scorching start and raced away to a partnership of 188 in less than 25 overs. Dilshan had been the pillar of the batting among the wobbling middle order of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Sanath Jayasuriya. When Dilshan dismissed for 160, Sri Lanka needed 72 runs off the last 11 overs.

Mathews hung around to fortify the innings, building a partnership of 56 with Kandamby. With just 5 runs required off the last 3 balls, Mathews played an aggressive shot to Nehra and got caught by Sachin, in the process effectively ending Sri Lanka's hopes. Sri Lanka eventually ended their innings at 411, falling two runs short of India's total.

SCORECARD SUMMARY

INDIA 414/7(50 OVERS)

SRI LANKA 411/8(50 OVERS)

Result: India won by 3 runs