Courtesy: Cricketnmore.com
Former India cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, both regarded as the sport’s most prominent figures, set a historic record on this day 22 years ago. The pair combined for a massive 318-run stand against Sri Lanka during a group stage match in the ICC 1999 World Cup in Taunton, which saw the Men In Blue cruise to a convincing victory over the island nation.
The 1999 World Cup was held in England, and the Indian squad struggled to get off to a solid start. In their first two World Cup matches, they were defeated by South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga won the toss and chose to bowl first in this game. Sourav Ganguly and Sadagopan Ramesh batted first for India.
India got off to a bad start as the side lost its opener Sadagoppan Ramesh (5) in the very first over of the innings. However, Sri Lankan bowlers were then set on a leather hunt by the duo. In Ganguly’s 158-ball innings, the left-handed batsman hit 17 fours and seven majestic sixes. In his 129-ball stay at the crease, Dravid, on the other hand, smashed a comparable number of fours and one six.
Sri Lanka ultimately broke the partnership in the 46th over, with the help of Muttiah Muralitharan’s run out. Their heroics enabled India to post a total of 373/6 in the allotted fifty overs. However, Sri Lanka succumbed to the scoreboard pressure and was bowled out for 216 in the 43rd over.
This stand between Dravid and Ganguly is the fourth highest partnership in the history of ODI cricket. It wasn’t enough as India failed to make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Here are some of the great shots played by the menacing duo:
On this day in 1999, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid shared a 318-run stand against Sri Lanka in Taunton. It is the second-highest partnership in ICC Men’s @cricketworldcup 🔥📽️ pic.twitter.com/N7yJuA6rvg
— ICC (@ICC) May 26, 2021