Published 19:44 IST, July 6th 2019
World Cup 2019 | WATCH: Hardik Pandya shows amazing athleticism to take a spectacular diving catch against Sri Lanka
Hardik Pandya made an impression on the field with a stunning catch. It happened in the final over of the first innings which was bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. On the second delivery, Kumar bowled a slower delivery outside off stump as Perera slogged his bat for a big hit.
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Team India will be eyeing to somehow get to the top spot by beating the 1996 winners while the Sri Lankans will be looking to salvage pride as they are already out of contention for the semis. India can finish on the first position provided Australia lose to South Africa later in the day. The Men In Blue are currently at the second position with six wins in eight matches and 13 points in their tally. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are at the sixth position with three wins and three losses in their eight matches, collecting eight points.
During the encounter at Leeds, Hardik Pandya's stunning catch was one of the highlights. It happened in the final over of the first innings which was bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. On the second delivery, Kumar bowled a slower delivery outside off stump as Perera slogged his bat for a big hit. Unfortunately, it was not timed well as the ball went a long way up in the air. It appeared that the ball will land in no man's land. However, Hardik Pandya covered some distance and took a diving catch at long on.
The video of Hardik Pandya's superb catch was posted by ICC.
Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a disastrous start as the 1996 winners were reduced to 55/4. Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne then added 124 runs for the fifth wicket stand. Thirimanne was dismissed for a 68-ball 53. Meanwhile, Mathews continued to anchor the Lankan innings. He got to a well-deserved ton. The former skipper scored a 128-ball 113 before he was dismissed in the penultimate over by Jasprit Bumrah. His vital knock helped the island nation get to a decent total of 264/7 in their 50 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/37 in his 10 overs at an economy rate of 3.70 which included two maidens.
18:56 IST, July 6th 2019