Wise words inspire Sri Lanka stunner
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews revealed how a session with run-machine Kumar Sangakkara helped inspire his side to yesterday’s shock Champions Trophy win over India.
Sangakkara’s brilliant form for Surrey has led some to suggest he should come out of international retirement, but the Sri Lankan master has still been having an influence off the field.
His country were thrashed by South Africa in their opening Group B match but bounced back at the Oval, cruising past India’s target of 321 to win by seven wickets.
It was Sri Lanka’s second highest one-day chase ever and keeps alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals – all four sides in the group are on two points, with one game left.
Danushka Gunathilaka, standing in for the injured Chamara Kapugedera, hit 76 off 72 balls while Kusal Mendis made 89 as the pair set in motion an unlikely victory.
Mathews said a meeting with Sangakkara helped to turn the tide. “Kusal met Sanga to get some batting tips because he is the king,” Mathews said.
“We all look up to him and take advice from him, all the batters. He taught us good things about how to play on these tracks.”
Gunathilaka’s knock was particularly impressive. He and Mendis put on 159 before Mathews (52) and Asela Gunaratne (34) finished the job with eight balls to spare.
“For Danushka to walk into a game knowing he wasn’t even in the 15 until after Chamara got injured is impressive,” Mathews said. “He and Kusal played with a lot of freedom and that set us a platform and made it so much easier for myself and the middle order batters.”
Shikhar Darwan scored 125 for India, backed by Rohit Sharma (78) and MS Dhoni (63).
India now face South Africa on Sunday before Sri Lanka play Pakistan on Monday. “Every game is a quarter-final now,” said India star Virat Kohli.