There is no value in grabbing pole position if you don't go on to win the race. Likewise, Sri Lanka will know that four wins out of four, means nothing, if they don't go on to win the tournament on Sunday. They have played brilliantly so far, and tonight they overwhelmed a weakened Indian side with consummate ease, to win by 68 runs.
India did not have the services of three key players in this game and it showed. The bowlers, Venkatesh Prasad and Anil Kumble, were the ones most sorely missed, but the calming influence of Rahul Dravid would have useful.
The Indian bowling lacked penetration and they were unable to restrict Sri Lanka after a fine opening spell from Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan. Mahela Jayawardene and Marvan Attapattu batted freely to compile a record breaking Sri Lanka third wicket partnership of 226 from 35.5 overs to leave Sri Lanka with an imposing 294.
In reply, the Indians got off to a dreadful start, losing Ganguly to the fourth ball of the innings. Thereafter, their hopes appeared to rest on the shoulders of Tendulkar. But, Tendulkar was in an indulgent mood and batted as if this were a school house match. True, he scored a run a ball half century, but his team needed much more.
When he was dismissed, for 61 from 54 balls, as he tried to loft Muralitharan over long on, India's hopes died. Muralitharan, who had already snared Robin Singh ('31) at cover to complete 200 wickets in ODIs, then ran amok. Yuvraj Singh looked ill at ease against the turning ball and cut straight to Dilshan at point. Then, Vinod Kambli knocked a simple catch back to the off spinner and India were 129 for 6 in the 28th over.
The game was then dead, and the Sri Lankan's appeared to content to give bowling practice to the likes of Jayawardene and Arnold. Bandani (42) and Dahiya made use of the chance to gain some batting practice and the game drifted into the night. Finally, Muralitharan was pulled back into the attack to end the 77 run partnership and capture his fifth wicket, for the forth time in his career, from an optimistic reverse sweep.
Muralitharan wasn't finished either. He mopped up Sunil Joshi an Dahiya to finish with a remarkable seven wickets for 30 runs from his ten overs. The best bowling figures ever in the history of one-day international cricket.
Earlier in the day the Indian fast bowlers bowled passionately. Zaheer Khan was swift on the shiny surface and he cramped Jayasuriya for space. Agarkar didn't let his partner down and swung the ball away from the right-handed Kaluwithrana. With just 13 runs scored off the first 5 overs, the pressure built up on the Sri Lankan openers.
When Agarkar slid a delivery wide of his off stump, Sanath Jaysuriya, lashed impulsively, and was caught on the third man boundary. Tendulkar dropped Marvan Attapattu in the same over but Agarkar struck again in his next: Kaluwithrana somewhat unlucky to have been adjudged LBW.
Mahela Jayawardene and Marvan Attapattu then consolidated the innings. Having played themselves in, they started to score freely off India's second-string bowlers. With no Kumble to fall back on, Ganguly had a problem, and tried eight bowlers in total in effort to shift the pair.
Jayawardene was the more aggressive of the two. He needed runs and has been short of confidence of late. You would not have guessed it though by his poise at the crease and the ease with which he timed the ball. Playing shots all-round the wicket he provided the full house with rich entertainment, scoring 128 from 122 balls and hitting 15 boundaries.
Marvan Attapattu, sporting an ugly black eye from Wednesday's top edged sweep, played the anchor role to perfection and remained unbeaten on 102 from 108 balls. When Jayawardene was finally dismissed, Atapattu was well supported in the final overs by Russel Arnold, who clumped 28 from just 21 deliveries.
The real test though is on Sunday. Despite the electric atmosphere built up by the crowd tonight there was little pressure on the players, with both teams guaranteed a place in the final. On Sunday, the tournament will be decided, and the players of both sides know, that it's winning when it counts, that really matters.
© CricInfo
| Teams | India, Sri Lanka. |
| Players/Umpires | Mutiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Sachin Tendulkar, Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Hemang Badani, Russel Arnold, Vinod Kambli, Ajit Agarkar. |
| Tournaments | Coca-Cola Champions Trophy |
| Scorecard | 6th Match: India v Sri Lanka, 27 Oct 2000 |
| Grounds | Sharjah C.A. Stadium |
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