2. World Cup, 1999

Sri Lanka was defending their title in the World Cup in 1999 but was not having a great campaign. India also had a demoralizing tournament, but this match proved to be the one memorable one for India, apart from the win over Pakistan, amidst the Kargil War tension.

The ground was Taunton and Sri Lanka asked India to bat first and Vaas dismissed Ramesh chaeply for 5 runs in the first over. However, it was their only wicket for 45 overs, as Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid batted for the next 45 overs and put on the first ever 300 runs partnership in the history of ODI cricket.

Ganguly was the more severe of the two and registered his highest ODI score and India’s highest score in a World Cup match bit the help of 183 in 158 balls with 17 fours and 7 sixes. Dravid helped him with 145 runs in 129 balls with 17 fours and 1 six. Both of them built a partnership of 318 runs and India were 324 when Dravid got run out. India lost some quick wickets and managed to make 373/6 in 50 overs.

Sri Lanka had the fire power to chase that score, but Robin Singh became the obstacle for them. After Srinath and Mohanty dismissed Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana and Atapattu cheaply, Robin Singh swung into action and took 5/31. Aravinda de Silva made 56 and skipper Ranatunga made 42 runs but, Sri Lanka bundled out for 216 runs and India won by a huge margin of 157 runs. Sourav Ganguly won the man of the match award for his record making 183.