The match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, however, had another reason for the Sri Lankan fans to be sombre about as it proved to be the last One Day International match for the duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Sangakkara, who is mostly a livewire on the field, appeared listless against the South African bowling as he could only amass 45 runs after playing 96 bowls.
The rest of the Sri Lankan team did much worse on the batting front as they lost three wickets in a hat-trick to JP Duminy. Except for Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne, no other batsman could cross even 20 runs, leading to much outrage and mockery on Twitter. Here's a selection:
Sri Lanka's ploy is to surprise South Africa by reverse-choking! #SAvSL
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 18, 2015
Sangakkara to Misbah pic.twitter.com/nmVvukUVLV
— Ammar Ashraf (@AmmarAshraf) March 18, 2015
Meanwhile during lunch break. Sri Lankans are busy booking window seats to fly back home #SAvSL
— Hyderabadi Potta (@karrauday) March 18, 2015
Meanwhile in Sydney #SAvSL #ICCWorldCup2015 pic.twitter.com/JiT7pXb4N0
— Abhishek Joshi (@kaalicharan) March 18, 2015
Reaction of Sri Lankan Fans #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/nnuskUrwBr
— Uddhham ~Sing~ (@UddhhamSingh) March 18, 2015
Current condition of SL fans who were shouting Chokers Chokers at SA. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/0PTIutD6gD
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 18, 2015
This is what the "Chokers" did to the "Favourites" today #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/tFjiLh9eF6
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 18, 2015
While all the other batsmen are getting out, Sangakkara has asked the umpire whether 'single batting' is allowed. #SAvSL
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 18, 2015
This is Lanka's worst performance ever since Lord Rama and Hanuman invaded & attacked it #SAvSL
— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) March 18, 2015
South Africa's bowling is stronger than Sri Lanka's bowling. Also, South Africa's choking is stronger than Sri Lanka's batting. #SAvSL
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 18, 2015
Is Sangakkara being forced to retire by BCCI so that he doesn't cross the Max runs in ODIs record set by a Hindu Male called Sachin?
— Adarsh Aadmi (@bwoyblunder) March 18, 2015
Dear #SL fans. . . Remember this? 13 March 1996! CC: @SriniMama16 #SAvSL #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/Sl266o09uQ
— T.S.Suresh (TS) (@editorsuresh) March 18, 2015
BREAKING : Sri Lankan government has offered Sangakkara the post of Defence Minister. #SAvSL #CWC15
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 18, 2015