India couldn't have asked for a better way to seal their semi-final spot in the 2003 World Cup after a thumping 183-run win at Johannesburg. A stunning 153-run opening stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag set the tone for the game. Though Tendulkar missed out on his 35th ODI century — caught behind while negotiating an Aravinda de Silva delivery on 97 — he managed to break his own record of most runs in a World Cup.

Sehwag finally scored his maiden World Cup half century with a blazing 76-ball 66. India skipper Sourav Ganguly did not let the tempo down after Sehwag's dismissal and carved a 53-ball 48. Sri Lanka managed to pull things back, thanks to Chaminda Vaas (2-34) and Muttiah Muralitharan (3-46) and India were restricted to 292-6 in 50 overs.