ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League: India Climb To 5th Spot After A Comprehensive Win Over Sri Lanka

The Indian team collected a crucial ten points by beating Sri Lanka in the first ODI by seven wickets in Colombo to lead the three-match series. India’s stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan struck an unbeaten 86 to complete the chase of 263 with more than 13 overs to spare. As a result, the men in blue surged to the fifth spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

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India’s spinners were significant in halting Sri Lanka’s charge after they made a steady start in the first ten overs. The partnership of 49 between Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka allowed the hosts some respite as plotted their way to a respectable total. Later, Chamika Karunaratne’s 35-ball 43, including a big final over, gave Sri Lanka plenty of hope. They raced 262 after being in danger of not playing out their full overs.

However, Prithvi Shaw began making the target look like a cakewalk in the first five overs itself. The right-handed batsman smashed nine boundaries in his 24-ball 43 as he put 58 with Shikhar Dhawan for the opening wicket. Debutant Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught, scoring a 33-ball fifty. Manish Pandey and Dhawan also did well to tick along before the latter drove the visitors home with Suryakumar Yadav.

India rise to fifth from the ninth position in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings: