Welcome to the highlights of India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI - 1997 Sri Lanka tour of India 3-match ODI series - The third and final One-Day International cricket match between India and Sri Lanka was played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao on December 28, 1997.
Match Overview:
Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's three-wickets and A masterclass unbeaten 82 by Aravinda de Silva leads to Sri Lanka convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and level the three-match series with 1-1 in the third & final ODI.
Match Report:
World champions Sri Lanka beat India by five wickets in the third and final one-day match in the western town of Margao on Sunday to level the series at one game apiece. Play was held up briefly as spectators threw missiles onto the ground as India's defeat became apparent.
India had won the first game and the second was abandoned due to poor pitch conditions.
Set to score 229 runs to win at just over 4.5 an over, Sri Lanka at no time looked to be under pressure, with runs flowing smoothly on a pitch where the ball came onto the bat.
Master-blaster Sanath Jayasuriya set the pace with four blistering boundaries in medium-pacer Debashish Mohanty's first over.
He did not last long, however, slashing at a Mohanty delivery outside off-stump to be caught brilliantly by a diving Robin Singh at cover. Aravinda de Silva settled down quickly, dampening the home side's hopes.
He stroked his way to a masterly unbeaten 82 off only 93 balls with six boundaries and a huge six. He was named man of the match.
Roshan Mahanama was the other major scorer with a polished nock of 46.
Earlier India, winning the toss and choosing to take first strike, failed to capitalise on a fine opening stand.
Openers Ajay Jadeja (53) and Saurav Ganguly (61) gave India a solid start, putting on 131 for the first wicket before their departure in quick succession left the Indian innings floundering.
Jadeja mis-timed a turning delivery from Sanath Jayasuriya and skied to mid-off where Muttiah Muralitharan took a fine run-ning catch.
Ganguly was caught at square leg by Hashan Tillekeratne while attempting a sweep off Muralitharan. His 61 runs from 91 balls included a six and four fours.
The other key Indian players, Sachin Tendulkar, Navjot Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin all fell cheaply, trying to step up the scoring rate.
Muralitharan was the most successful bowler, finishing with three for 53 off his 10 overs.
In-Depth Match Highlights:
India scored 228-6 in 50 overs with top scorer by Sourav Ganguly struck 61 off 86-balls including 4-fours & a six.
Ajay Jadeja cracked a 53 off 108-balls including 5-fours, Mohammad Azharuddin hit 24 off 36-balls included one-six & a four.
Robin Singh scored a unbeaten 19 off 23-balls including 2-fours and Navjot Sidhu struck 17 off 22-balls included a boundary.
Sri Lanka best bowler by Muttiah Muralitharan picked up 3-wickets for 53-runs in 10-overs including two maidens, Sajeewa de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya both took one-wickets.
Sri Lanka chase down the target of 229 for 5 in 48.2 overs with top scorer by Aravinda de Silva cracked a unbeaten 82 off 90-balls including 6-fours & a six.
Roshan Mahanama struck 46 off 79-balls including 2-fours & a six, Romesh Kaluwitharana hit 30 off 38-balls included one-six & a four.
Arjuna Ranatunga scored a 20 off 36-balls without a boundary and Sanath Jayasuriya blasted a 17 off 8-balls contained 4-fours with strike rate of 212.50.
India best bowler by Debasis Mohanty picked up 3-wickets and one for Javagal Srinath - Sairaj Bahutule.
Aravinda de Silva named Player of the match for his match-winning masterclass unbeaten 82 off 90-balls including 6-fours & a six.
Roshan Mahanama earned player of the series for contributing 119-runs with average of 59.50 in the three-match series.
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