IND vs SL 1st ODI 2009: It is very rare in cricket that 800 runs are made in a single day, with both teams scoring 400 plus runs in their respective innings. On this day in 2009, this became a reality in the ODI match between India and Sri Lanka in Rajkot.
India’s opener Virender Sehwag’s blistering knock of 146 off 102 balls and fiery half-centuries from Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni helped India set a mammoth target of 415 for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka weren’t intimidated by the massive total and started off their innings with a counter strategy. The Lankans were dominating the game, leading fans to think SL would create history by chasing the huge total. In 36 overs, they had put up over 300 runs on the board at the loss of one wicket.
However, India made a comeback as they took a few quick breakthroughs including two run out. Sri Lanka were 5-345 in 40.1 over, losing their rhythm.
IND vs SL 1st ODI 2009: The last over thrill
Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra bowled the last two overs where the opposition needed just 15 off 12 balls with five wickets in hand. In the penultimate over, Sri Lankan batters messed up on the field as India got two run-outs.
They then needed 11 in the last over. Sri Lanka failed to score these runs and Tendulkar caught the win with a grab of Angelo Mathews.
