The unthinkable indeed happened, as Sri Lanka, led terrifically by the ever reliable Angelo Matthews managed to upstage India at the Oval. Needing an improbable 322 to win, no one would have entertained the thoughts of Sri Lanka running away with the game. But in the end, they made the target look like an absolute stroll in the park as their batsman calmly approached the target with an open mind.
Losing Niroshan Dickwella early, the second wicket stand between Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka resurrected Sri Lanka as the two young batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking and played relatively risk free cricket. The two were particularly harsh towards Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja and tonked the two Indian bowlers throughout the ground.
Eventually, things came down to Sri Lankan captain Angelo Matthews, who marked his return to ODI cricket after a really long time. Making his return after 10 months, Matthews was exceptional as he finished the game with an unbeaten half century to take Sri Lanka past the line. The likes of Kusal Perera and Asela Gunaratne chipped in with important cameos as well.
Group B now has two virtual quarter finals left for Sunday and Monday, and they promise to be thrilling. Fans on Twitter reacted to India’s loss and the thrilling contest and below are some of the tweets.
Yorkers confiscated by customs? Where have they gone?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 8, 2017
Harakiri Alert ? #IndvsSL #CT17
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 8, 2017
India desperately require 7 Run Outs …… #CT17 #INDvSL
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 8, 2017
I think you would have got the same odds for a Pakistan /Sri Lanka double this last 2 days as you would have got for Trump & Brexit … !!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 8, 2017
If Sri Lanka win today then the next two games of this group Ind vs RSA and Pak vs SL will effectively be Quarter Finals. #CT17
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 8, 2017
Well done Jattaaaa top batting @SDhawan25 ??????✅?
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 8, 2017
Sri Lankan coach must punish the batsmen who threw away their wicket with run-outs by asking them to write their full name 5 times.#IndvSL
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) June 8, 2017
RT for a wicket. (desperate) #INDvSL
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 8, 2017
We cannot lose to a team that we play every two weeks. #INDvSL
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 8, 2017
Virat: Bhai, presentation ceremony me kya bolun?
Dhoni: Bole de, we were 30 runs short.#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/L1Ni9Gdsfm
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/872855130231713792
Well playing Lankans ??#INDvSL
— Huza? (@HuzailGarcia) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/thesacraistjerk/status/872859184257265665
Would have to pull a bowling stunner to win this game.Clearly feeling outplayed by SL.
Come on bowlers still fingers crossed#INDvSL— Saket (@phoenix_saket) June 8, 2017
Think it's a bit unfair that runners are no longer allowed in international cricket #INDvSL #ChampionsTrophy2017
— Matthew White (@Matthew_R_White) June 8, 2017
I felt at this stage #Dhoni's captaincy would have done some magic ..
Missing the legendary captaincy .. 🙁 #INDvSL
— Jackson Durai (@rjjacksondurai) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/vasishkumar/status/872858939704168448
Virat needs to take a leaf out of #Dhoni playbook and try something totally out of the box,by the book is not going to help #INDvSL
— Sharanya Narayanan (@iamsharz) June 8, 2017
#INDvSL indian fans right now
Let's pray ??? pic.twitter.com/yh8DdMudkj— sowmya (@isowmyatweets) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/SBantiya/status/872858817410646016
https://twitter.com/inzaynpari7/status/872858801430556672
https://twitter.com/ppalebluedot/status/872860109830897665
After first inning who would have thought this match gonna end like this ? #INDvSL
— ravi (@rawatspeaking) June 8, 2017
2 overs of Bumraah still can do wonders #INDvSL
— Mohsin Nawab (@MohsinSRKFan) June 8, 2017
#INDvSL A cakewalk for SL. Cant believe.
— Mohit Jain Rafale (@mohit2jain) June 8, 2017
SL made India's Sunday game, a KNOCK-OUT. Oval is unlucky. Tough luck. #INDvSL
— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) June 8, 2017
Two boundaries now conceded by fielders over-running the ball. Little things….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 8, 2017
India in the field have been Tactically very very Poor ……. Far too predictable ….. #CT17 #INDvSL
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 8, 2017