India v Sri Lanka, ICC Champions Trophy 2017: A look ahead
Match:India v Sri Lanka
**Group:**Group B
**Date:**Thursday, June 8
**Venue:**The Oval, London
Head2Head in ODIs:
Of the 149 ODI games played between these two sides, India enjoys the advantage of having won 83 matches. Sri Lanka has 54 wins, with one tied match and 11 no results. With the immense knowledge both these teams have about each other, a close encounter is almost ensured.
Greatest ODI encounter:
The ICC World Cup 2011 final. India v Sri Lanka at Wankhede. It was one of the biggest stages ever in the world of cricket.
A classy hundred from Mahela Jayawardene, who remained unbeaten on 103 from 88 balls, lifted Sri Lanka to 274 for 6 in its 50 overs. Then, Lasith Malinga got rid of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early during India’s innings. But, the game was not over yet! Gautam Gambhir (95) and Virat Kohli (35) stitched together a strong partnership to counter the Sri Lankans before Tillakaratne Dilshan removed Kohli with a catch off his own bowling.
In walked the MS Dhoni, the Indian captain, who, along with Gambhir batted the Lankans out of the game. Dhoni made a 79-ball 91 not out with eight fours and two sixes, the last of which sealed the game.
Previous Champions Trophy encounters:
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, June 20, 2013
India won by eight wickets
PoM: Ishant Sharma
In the semifinal, Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin helped bowl out Sri Lanka for just 181 runs. Shikhar Dhawan (68) and Virat Kohli (58*) then blazed away at the small total as India won with 15 overs in hand.
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, September 30, 2002
No Result
In the final, which had already gone to the reserve day, Sri Lanka posted 222, with Zaheer Khan taking 3 for 44. However, the final was washed out within ten overs of the Indian chase. The trophy was shared between the two sides.
Key players for each side:
With an excellent record against Sri Lanka, Virat Kohliwill be looked at as the primary threat. His astounding form in the past couple of years, and his versatility as a batsman will definitely be on the minds of the Sri Lankans. If Sri Lanka allows Kohli to settle in early during his innings, he could virtually bat them out of the game.
Sri Lanka’s ODI team is in a transition phase, where new players are being tried out to fill the shoes of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. One of the most promising players in the current set-up is Kusal Mendis. His technically sound batting and ability to hit boundaries at regular intervals were on consistent display against England during the 2016 ODI series.
Key facts:
- Rohit Sharma’s record highest ODI score of 264 came against Sri Lanka.
- Virat Kohli averages 56.24 against Sri Lanka with six centuries against them.
- Sri Lanka’s highest score against India is 411, three shy of India’s 414.
Best at Champions Trophy:
**India:**Winners 2013; Joint-winners 2002
**Sri Lanka:**Joint-winners 2002
India play Sri Lanka in Group B of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on Thursday, June 8 at Kennington Oval in London. The ticket ballot is now open and you can apply for tickets by clicking on the banner below or going to www.icc-cricket.com/tickets.
