Match report: SL v Ind – 2nd ODI
First Published : 08 Feb 2012, 18:07
Last Modified : 09 Feb 2012, 10:45
Perth, Feb 8: India have won the second ODI of the CB tri-series, against Sri Lanka, in a keenly contested match at the Western Australian Cricket Association in Perth. Needing 234 to win, the Indian lower-order, anchored by Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, emerged from a middle-order collapse to give the side a four-wicket win against the Lankans.
Playing their first match of the tri-series, Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss. Zaheer Khan, who replaced Rahul Sharma in the match, gave India the initial advantage when he had Upul Tharanga (4) caught by Sachin Tendulkar at first slip in the third over.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara then steadied the Sri Lankan innings with a 62-run stand before Sangakkara (26) edged a delivery from Zaheer with MS Dhoni completing a superb catch diving to his left. Ravindra Jadeja removed Dilshan (79-ball 48) next when he had the dashing opener caught by Virat Kohli at point in the 25th over with the Lankan score at 100.
The Lankan innings never really took off as R Ashwin took three crucial middle-order wickets to keep it in check. Ashwin removed Mahela Jayawardene (23), Thisara Perera (7) and the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal (64) to keep the Lankans down to 189 for six in 43.2 overs. Ashwin’s final figures were an impressive 10-1-32-3.
However, a brisk 28-ball 33 from Angelo Matthews, batting at No. 7, allowed the Lankans to finish at a competitive 233 for eight in 50 overs.
Defending that total, Sri Lanka would have backed their chances when Virender Sehwag (10) was caught slashing a Lasith Malinga delivery uppishly to Nuwan Kulasekara at third man early in the Indian innings. However, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli put the Indian innings back on track with a 75-run stand for the second wicket.
Tendulkar, who made just two runs in the first ODI game against Australia, was bowled by Angelo Matthews two short of his half-century with the Indian score at 89 in the 19th over.
India appeared to have lost their way after Tendulkar’s dismissal as Rohit Sharma (10), Suresh Raina (24) and MS Dhoni (4) fell in quick succession to leave the innings wobbling at 167 for five in 33.4 overs. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, struck a feisty half-century and threatened to take India home while battling cramps, but when he was run-out off the last ball of the 36th over, the Lankans looked in complete control. Kohli made 77.
However, there was one final twist in the tale as Ravindra Jadeja (24*) and R Ashwin (30*) struck an unbeaten 53-run stand for the seventh wicket to guide India to a four-wicket win with 20 balls to spare.
India will next play Australia on February 12 at the Adelaide Oval in the fourth match of the tri-series competition.
Brief scores: India 234/6 in 46.4 overs (Virat Kohli 77, Sachin Tendulkar 48, Angelo Matthews 2/31) beat Sri Lanka 233/8 in 50.0 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 64, Tillakaratne Dilshan 48, Angelo Matthews 33*, R Ashwin 3/32) by four wickets
Man-of-the-match: R Ashwin for his all-round performance including bowling figures of 10-1-32-3 and an unbeaten 30 batting at No. 8
