Men's Minor Semi: Sri Lanka take down India in low-scoring thriller to set up showdown with New Zealand

Summary

Men’s Minor Semi-Final:

Sri Lanka 54 (2) def. India 45 (2) by nine runs

Highest Contribution: Vijay H (IND) - 11 runs, 3/-2

Sri Lanka gained a measure of revenge on India for their 2022 defeat at the same stage when they overcame them in a low-scoring affair in the Minor Semi-Final by nine runs at U-Pro Colombo.

India appeared to be heading towards a healthy total after making their way to 46 after eight overs, but then completely lost their way in the last two pairs, losing wickets in clumps as the Sri Lankans cashed in with a plethora of runs out and catches, to hold them to 45.

Sri Lanka started well in the chase, but a resilient Indian side didn’t them get away, taking five wickets in the second pair to keep the game alive. The equation in the last four overs - eight runs being needed - but captain Kolitha, along with Dilisara, got Sri Lanka to safety and the shot of another chance of a final on World Cup soil, following the heroics of 2004 when they made the final against Australia.

It brought an end to the tournament for the Indians, who arrived with a lot of expectation after their Preliminary Final finish at the previous edition. They showed a lot of promise in the early rounds of the round-robin phase, but were not able to muster any sort of resistance against the top sides when it counted.

Sri Lanka will move on to play New Zealand in the Preliminary Final, and will be full of confidence, riding an eight-match winning streak following a loss to the Kiwis back on 28 September.

India (27-19-7 -8)

India captain Daivik Rai won the toss and elected to bat first. India had lost chasing against Sri Lanka in their final round-robin match the previous evening and decided to go about setting a target on the board.

There was a big boost with Dhanush Bhaskar returning to the side to partner Rai at the top, as Bhaskar has previously been nursing an injury through the tournament. However the absence of spinner Namsheed Vayyaprath, whether due to injury or selection, may have bolstered the Indian side further.

With Daivik and Dhanush back at the top together, the pair batted assuredly and put the pressure on the Sri Lankans early to give India the start they needed with 27 runs.

And despite a couple of further wickets to Isuru Umesh and debutant spinner, Supun Rangana, who bowled impressively, Vijay and Afroz ticked the score over to 46 by the halfway mark of the innings and the chance of a strong total.

But as has been with the case with the India side in their last few games, the loss of wickets brought a quick capitulation Girish and Khizer Ahmed were out four times - with Rangana and Kasun Gamage grabbing double breakthroughs across back to back overs - three to run outs.

Six wickets fell across the first three overs of the final pairing, with Dilisara, Shewon Fonseka, and Chandima Abeykoon all helping themselves to two apiece - three catches and three run outs - as Suraj and Mohasin failed to stem the loss of runs. All told, India lost 10 wickets and reduced their score by one run over the last eight overs.

Sri Lanka 54 (19 -1-20-16)

Sri Lanka were in no mood to let the game linger, sending out their best batter this tournament, Shewon Fonseka, who brought up 50 international caps last night, and Chandima Abeykoon to put a dent in the total. The loss of two wickets, including Daivik having Shewon clean bowled, didn’t deter them as they put 19 on the board.

One more solid partnership would put India out of the game but double blows from both Girish and Vijay brought the score back to 18 and India an outside chance.

Isuru hit a back-net seven off Girish from the second ball of the ninth over to signal his intentions early. And despite the loss of two wickets inside the first two overs of the pair, Isuru’s pairing with Rumesh Perera scored a crucial 13 runs off the last two overs to take Sri Lanka within striking distance.

Kolitha and Dilisara quickly got to the target by the end of the 13th over and Sri Lanka held the lead from then on. There were a couple of late wickets from Khizer in the final over of the game, but by then, the match was done.

Image: U-Pro Indoor Cricket