India and Sri Lanka locked horns in a high-scoring clash at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground in Rajkot on December 15, 2009. Even after posting a mammoth total of 414/7 on board, India won the match by a margin of just three runs as Sri Lankan batters gave a tough fight in a high-scoring clash. Virender Sehwag was a top scorer for India with his fiery 146-run knock, while Tillakaratne Dilshan also smashed 160 runs as Sri Lanka gave Indian fans a mini heart attack that day.
During 2009, India and Sri Lanka were scheduled to play a five-match ODI series, and the first match turned out to be a blockbuster. Batting first, India got a flying start as Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar added 153 runs for the first wicket in 19.3 overs. Sachin got out after scoring 69(63) with 10 fours and a six, while Sehwag smashed 146(102) hitting 17 fours and six sixes. Skipper MS Dhoni also played his role with a knock of 72(53), while Virat Kohli (27 off 19) and Ravindra Jadeja (30* off 17) added finishing touches, and India posted 414/7 in their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka almost pulled off 415-run chase vs India in 2009
Coming to chase the winning target, Sri Lanka also got a great start as Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharange put up an opening partnership of 188 runs in 24 overs. Tharanga got out after scoring 67(60) runs with three fours and four sixes. After that, Kumar Sangakkara joined Dilshan as they both added 128 runs for the second wicket. Sangakkara scored a fiery 90(43) runs with 10 fours and five sixes. While Dilshan top scored with 160(124) runs, smashing 20 fours and three sixes. After that, Sri Lanka lost momentum in the middle overs as the score was reduced to 345/5 in 40.2 overs.
After the fall of five wickets, Thilina Kandamby (24 off 25) and Angelo Mathews (38 off 33) added 46 runs for the sixth wicket, and took Sri Lanka closer to the target of 415 runs. Following that, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra took three wickets in the last two overs as Sri Lanka fell short of the target by just four runs.
