When Lanka became 'giant-killers'

Sri Lanks's greatest triumph on the world stage came in 1996 when they won the 1996 World Cup beating Australia in Lahore. But the 1979 defeat which they handed to India was also celebrated with equal enthusisasm among the Lanka fans. An associate member of the ICC then and still three years away from gaining test status, the islanders became the first minnows to beat a test-playing nation winning by 47 runs.

Playing only in their second world cup, the Sri Lankans guided by positive batting and disciplined bowling outstaged Srinivas Venkataraghavan's team at Old Trafford in Manchester. Winning the toss, India put the Lankans in to bat. Riding on great starts by Sunil Wettimuny and Roy Dias, they reached 127 before losing their second wicket. Till now, the Lankan batsman followed a cautious approach and had looked to preserve their wickets without bothering much of the run-rate. But in came Duleep Mendis, who took no time in counter attacking the opposition. Smashing a 55-ball 64, coupled with assistance from Sudath Pasqual, the youngest player of the tournment, the Lankans reached 238/5 at the close of play.

Due to rain, the Indians had to begin their chase the following day. Openers Sunil Gavaskar and Anshuman Gaekwad made a solid start and stiched together 60 runs. But wickets at regular intervals meant no one went on to score that match-defining innings, though all the top six batsmen registered double-digit scores. At 117/2 India looked on course to win the match but the sudden run-out of Gundappa Vishwanath turned the tables in favour of the islanders. 

Sri Lankan leg-spinner Somachandra de Silva took over and wreaked havoc in the Indian batting line-up, with none of them settling down. After Kapil Dev went for a quick-fire 16 off 19 balls, strike bowler Antony Opatha returned to the attack to sweep through the tail with three wickets of his own to seal a memorable victory. India were dismissed 191 and Sri Lanka became the 'giant killers'.

---

Abhsihek