On August 9, 2005, former Team India pacer Ashish Nehra shone with the ball against Sri Lanka in the final of the Indian Oil Cup played in Colombo. Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain
Marvan Atapattu elected to bat first. In the sixth over of the game, Nehra delivered the first blow to the hosts by getting rid of their skipper Atapattu. In his next over, Nehra trapped youngster Dilhara Lokuhettige, who departed after amassing nine off seven. The speedster’s next victim was Kumar Sangakkara, who could score only eight off 12. Riding on his scintillating bowling show, India was in a commanding position as Sri Lanka lost three batters at a score of 67 in 13.1 overs.
In the crunch situation, Mahela Jayawardene stepped up and built a 125-run stand with Russel Arnold off 117 balls. Jaywardene fell against Nehra as the latter got the former caught at the hands of Mohammad Kaif. The right-handed batter smashed 83 off 97. After Jayawardene, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga became the victims of Nehra. Sri Lanka concluded their innings after putting up a score of 281/9 and Nehra ended his 10-over spell with 6/59 figures.
Ashish Nehru’s performance went in vain as India lost the game
India fell 18 runs short while chasing the 282-run total in the final of the Indian Oil Cup. It was Virender Sehwag and captain Sourav Ganguly, who stitched a solid 62-run stand off just 38 balls and gave a perfect start to the visitors. Sehwag returned to the pavilion after hitting 48 runs off just 22 balls, and following his departure, India’s innings slowed down.
Eventually, Sri Lanka held their nerves and restricted India to 263/9 in 50 overs. Chaminda Vaas bowled a thrifty spell of 2/38 in his 10 overs. Jayawardene’s courageous knock made him the recipient of the player of the match (POTM) award.
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