3 highest totals scored against Sri Lanka in ODI World Cup history

Sri Lanka under the captaincy of Dasun Shanaka, played their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign opener against South Africa on Saturday, October 7. This game was played between both teams in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The fans witnessed a full-package of run fest from both teams, started by South Africa in the first innings with a mammoth 400+ total. 

It was one of the highest totals scored against Sri Lanka in the history of the ODI World Cup since they started playing in the tournament. With that said, here in this listicle, we’ll have a look at the three highest totals scored against Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup history.

3. India (373/6) vs Sri Lanka, ODI World Cup 1999 

India and Sri Lanka were locking horns in the 21st match of the ODI World Cup 1999 at the County Ground in Taunton. Sri Lankan skipper Arjun Ranatunga won the toss and asked India to bat first. India posted a massive total of 373 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 50 overs courtesy of a historic partnership of 318 runs for the second wicket between opener Sourav Ganguly and wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Dravid. 

Sourav Ganguly smashed a blistering knock of 183 runs off 158 balls, with 17 fours and 7 sixes, alongside Rahul Dravid, who played a knock of 145 runs off 129 balls, hitting 17 fours and a six. Later, India won the match by 157 runs after bundling up Sri Lanka on the score of 216 runs in the second innings. This total scored by India ranks third in the list of highest totals in an ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka.

2. Australia (376/9) vs Sri Lanka, ODI World Cup 2015 

Sri Lanka took on Australia in the 32nd match of the ODI World Cup 2015, 8 years back at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. The hosts batted first after winning the toss and managed to get a total of 376 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell scored a blistering century of 102 runs off just 53 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes. 

Other than him, Steve Smith and skipper Michael Clarke also played the knocks of 72 and 68 runs, respectively. While chasing the target, Sri Lanka showed good intent with a century knock from the veteran batter Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 104 runs, hitting 11 fours. But his efforts went in vain as Sri Lanka got bundled out on 312 runs and lost the match by 64 runs. 

Australia 376/9 in Sydney during the ODI World Cup 2019 is in the second spot in the list of highest team totals against Sri Lanka in an ODI World Cup match.

1. South Africa (428/5) vs Sri Lanka, ODI World Cup 2023

This unique and mammoth total was achieved by South Africa against Sri Lanka recently during the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Both teams played against each other in the 4th match of the tournament at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi. The Islanders’ skipper won the toss and asked the Proteas to bat first. But the South African batters, including the likes of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram proved this decision a blunder for Dasun Shanaka and Sri Lanka. 

The Proteas posted an unbelievable total of 428 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 50 overs courtesy of 3 individual centuries. It happened to be the highest total scored by any team in the history of the ODI World Cup, alongside the highest total scored against Sri Lanka in an ODI World Cup. While chasing the target, Sri Lanka lost all their wickets on 326 runs and lost the match by 102 runs. 

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