Sri Lanks's greatest triumph on the world stage came in 1996 when they won the 1996 World Cup beating Australia in Lahore. But the 1979 defeat which they handed to India was also celebrated with equal enthusisasm among the Lanka fans. An associate member of the ICC then and still three years away from gaining test status, the islanders became the first minnows to beat a test-playing nation winning by 47 runs.
Playing only in their second world cup, the Sri Lankans guided by positive batting and disciplined bowling outstaged Srinivas Venkataraghavan's team at Old Trafford in Manchester. Winning the toss, India put the Lankans in to bat. Riding on great starts by Sunil Wettimuny and Roy Dias, they reached 127 before losing their second wicket. Till now, the Lankan batsman followed a cautious approach and had looked to preserve their wickets without bothering much of the run-rate. But in came Duleep Mendis, who took no time in counter attacking the opposition. Smashing a 55-ball 64, coupled with assistance from Sudath Pasqual, the youngest player of the tournment, the Lankans reached 238/5 at the close of play.
