Sri Lanka put on a powerful show to defeat India by 48 runs in the Bowl Match 6 of the Hong Kong International Sixes at Mong Kok on November 9, 2025. Lahiru Samarakoon was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, scoring 52 not out and taking 2 wickets for 20 runs.
The Sri Lankan team dominated from start to finish. Both opening batsmen, Lahiru Samarakoon and captain Lahiru Madushanka, retired hurt after scoring half-centuries. They posted a huge total of 138 runs without losing a single wicket in their six overs. India’s chase never got going as they could only manage 90 runs for 3 wickets, falling short by 48 runs.
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 138 | 6.0 | 0 | Won by 48 runs |
| India | 90 | 6.0 | 3 | Lost |
Target: 139 runs
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lahiru Samarakoon | Sri Lanka | All-rounder | 52* (14 balls) & 2/20 |
| Lahiru Madushanka | Sri Lanka | Captain/Batter | 52* (15 balls) |
| Bharat Chipli | India | Batter | 41 (13 balls) |
| Stuart Binny | India | All-rounder | 25* (9 balls) |
Key Moments
- Sri Lanka’s Flying Start: Lahiru Samarakoon and Lahiru Madushanka both scored fifties and retired hurt after brilliant batting displays. Both batsmen hit the ball all around the ground with great power.
- Massive Total: Sri Lanka reached 138 without losing a wicket in six overs. This was one of the highest scores in the tournament and gave India a very tough target to chase.
- India’s Slow Start: India lost Robin Uthappa early for just 13 runs in the third over. This put pressure on the middle order from the beginning.
- Chipli’s Brave Effort: Bharat Chipli scored 41 runs off just 13 balls with four boundaries and four sixes. He tried his best to keep India in the game but did not get enough support.
- Samarakoon Strikes Again: After his batting heroics, Lahiru Samarakoon returned to bowl and took two crucial wickets. He dismissed both Chipli and Priyank Panchal in the fourth over to end India’s hopes.
- Too Little, Too Late: Stuart Binny hit some big shots at the end, scoring 25 not out, but India finished 48 runs short of the target.
Match Analysis
This match showed the difference in batting power between the two teams. Sri Lanka’s opening partnership was simply too strong for India to handle. Both Samarakoon and Madushanka batted with great confidence and timing. They scored at a run rate of 23 runs per over, which is very high even for six-over cricket.
India’s bowling had no answers to Sri Lanka’s attacking style. None of the Indian bowlers could take a wicket or slow down the scoring rate. Shahbaz Nadeem, Bharat Chipli, Stuart Binny, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Priyank Panchal all went for more than 20 runs in their overs.
When India batted, they needed to score at 23 runs per over to win. This was always going to be difficult. While Chipli played well, he needed more support from his teammates. The middle order could not build partnerships, and wickets fell at important times.
Lahiru Samarakoon was the star of the match. He did well with both bat and ball. His all-round performance helped Sri Lanka win easily and continue their strong form in the tournament.
What’s Next
This was a Bowl Match in the Hong Kong International Sixes, which means both teams were playing in the lower bracket of the competition. The tournament runs from November 7-9, 2025, at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, featuring 12 international teams.
Sri Lanka, who are the defending champions from 2024, have shown they remain a strong team in this format. Their powerful batting lineup and smart bowling make them tough to beat.
India will need to improve their performance if they want to finish the tournament on a high note. Their bowlers must find ways to take wickets and control the run rate. The batsmen also need to build better partnerships and score faster from the start of the innings.
Both teams will look to finish their remaining matches strongly and learn from this experience in the unique six-over format of cricket.