The format in the 1979 World Cup was a ruthless one. Sri Lanka lost their first game to NZ at Trent Bridge, saw their match against West Indies abandoned at The Oval through wet weather and beat India at Old Trafford.

Yet, they could not qualify for the semi-finals. The win over India will count as one of their most memorable pre-1996 World Cup moments. As for India, they lost all their three games in 1979. SL opener Sunil Wettimuny was playing his second World Cup after his first one - in 1975 - ended up being a painful experience. Twice in the match he was hit by Jeff Thomson on his foot and was carried off after the second blow.