PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad –India defeated Sri Lanka by 81 runs (Duckworth/Lewis Method) to top the table after the preliminary round of matches in the CELKON Mobile Cup tri-nation tournament.
India made 119-3 off 29 overs in the rain-affected Match 6 at Queen’s Park Oval on Tuesday. Sri Lanka were set 178 in 26 overs to win under the DL Method, but were bowled out for 96 – the lowest score of the tournament.
The Man-of-the-Match award went to seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had career-best figures of 6-1-8-4. He is now the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with eight wickets at an average of 9.12 in three matches.
Speaking after the victory, India’s skipper Virat Kohli noted: "We have shown a lot of character. To bounce back like this and finish top of the table is a commendable effort. I’m very proud of the team….we fought hard when we batted and the bowlers responded beautifully."
India started the day third in the three-team table but the massive victory secured a bonus point as they ended the prelims on 10 points. Sri Lanka and West Indies both ended on nine points but the Sri Lankans reached the final by virtue of a superior net run rate.
India and Sri Lanka will meet in the Grand Final on Thursday at the Queen’s Park Oval. First ball is 9:30 am (8:30 am Jamaica Time).
Results and Schedule of matches
All matches start at 9:30 am
Friday, June 28: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets – Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Sunday, June 30: West Indies beat India by 1 wicket – Sabina Park
Tuesday, July 2: Sri Lanka beat India by 161 runs at Sabina Park
Friday, July 5: India beat West Indies by 102 runs (DL Method) – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Sunday, July 7: Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 39 runs (DL Method) – Queen’s Park Oval
Tuesday, July 9: India beat Sri Lanka by 81 runs (DL Method) – Queen’s Park Oval
Thursday, July 11: The Final: India vs Sri Lanka – Queen’s Park Oval