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On this day, December 15 in 2009, Rajkot witnessed a high-scoring One-Day International match between India and Sri Lanka with both teams scoring in excess of 400 runs. Sri Lanka opted to field first and the opening partnership for India lasted 20 overs with Sachin Tendulkar dismissed for 69 off 63 even as Sehwag continued blazing away at the other end. The opening partnership added 153, giving the perfect platform for the side.
MS Dhoni was promoted to No 3 and smashed 72 off 53 as Sehwag also went past his century, and approached 150. Their partnership was worth 156 in 96 balls as India crossed 300. Sehwag fell in the 36th over having smashed 6 sixes and 17 fours in his innings. MS Dhoni too fell in the very next over as Sri Lanka fought back. But Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja provided strong finishes as India posted a score of more than 400.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s top order started really well, with Upul Tharanga and Dilshan adding 188 for the opening wicket in 24 overs. Kumar Sangakkara came in at No. 3 and scored 90 off just 43 balls. Sri Lanka were well ahead of the chase. When Sangakkara was dismissed, Sri Lanka needed only 99 off 81 balls with eight wickets in hand.
Then a couple of important scalps by Harbhajan Singh including the wicket of Dilshan kept India in the game. India kept pulling Sri Lanka back as they lost a few more wickets due to run-outs. Sri Lanka needed 11 to win off the last over, with Ashish Nehra bowling to Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekara. Nehra dismissed Mathews fourth ball, and Sri Lanka lost the match by three runs.
India posted 414 for 7 in their 50 overs batting first. At the halfway stage it looked as if India will cruise to a win but Sri Lanka launched a counter attack, with Tillakaratne Dilshan smashing 160 off 124. It put them in a good position to win but Sri Lanka eventually managed 411 for 8 in 50 overs, falling just short of what would have been a huge win.
