Kenpachi Zaraki
02-01-2009, 06:54 AM
Half-centuries from Mahela Jayawardene and Thilina Kandamby were in vain as India sealed a thrilling 15-run win over Sri Lanka.
Jayawardene (52) and Kandamby (93 not out) resurrected Sri Lanka's innings with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket after the home side had lost their top three batsman for just 36 runs.
Kandamby battled hard
Following Jayawardene's dismissal Sri Lanka lost wickets frequently, but Kandamby batted on, stretching the match to the final over and pulling Sri Lanka closer to the target.
But Ishant Sharma, who finished with four wickets for 57 from 10 overs, bowled a superb penultimate over, conceding one run, which left Sri Lanka needing 20 runs off the final over to beat India's 256 for nine.
However, Ajantha Mendis was run out to hand India victory.
Yuvraj stars again
Yuvraj Singh top scored for India with 66, but Sri Lanka began their reply in style.
Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan took 11 runs off the first over sent down by Zaheer Khan.
The left-arm paceman, however, made some amends in his second over by dismissing Dilshan for eight.
Ishant made all the difference
Zaheer conceded 24 from his first three overs and quickly made way for Ishant, who struck immediately.
Ishant got rid of the dangerous Jayasuriya (17), and Praveen Kumar, who had shared the new ball with Zaheer, then picked up the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara (four) to leave the hosts in disarray.
Jayawardene and Kandamby combined to thwart India's attack, although the runs came excruciatingly slowly.
Play was briefly held up when Ishant was hit on the back of the neck by a missile thrown from the crowd just after the 50 partnership came up, but it failed to deter the batsmen.
The Colombo Numbers
Jayawardene eventually reached his half-century, the first since scoring 94 against India at the same ground in August last year, but finally fell when he scooped Pragyan Ojha to Yousuf Pathan at extra cover.
At the fall of Jayawardene's wicket, Sri Lanka needed 121 from 15.4 overs but the wickets tumbled despite Kandamby's resilience.
He was left stranded seven runs short of a century when the Sri Lanka innings ended with four deliveries remaining.
Earlier, Yuvraj had set India up with a knock that was a mixture of caution and aggression.
The left-hander put on 85 runs for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina (29) to steady a line-up which had slipped to 83 for three.
Virender Sehwag (42), who missed the first match due to injury, returned to give the visitors a fine platform from which to build a total.
Sachin unlucky again
Sehwag lost opening partner Sachin Tendulkar for six when the Little Master was on the wrong end of a poor lbw decision.
Sehwag was joined by Gautam Gambhir (27) and the two flayed Sri Lanka's bowlers, adding 49 for the second wicket.
Gambhir departed attempting to run a delivery from Farveez Maharoof down to third man, only to be caught behind.
Sehwag followed shortly after, falling short of his crease while attempting a third run off Thilan Thushara.
His wicket left the visitors in trouble, but Yuvraj and Raina batted sensibly to ease India past past the 150 mark.
Yuvraj got a terrible one too
Yuvraj's innings ended when he was given a dubious lbw decision, having inside-edged a Kulasekara delivery on to his pads.
India managed a meagre 14 runs from the batting powerplay, the wickets of Yusuf Pathan (21) and Dhoni (23) in quick time during that period helping Sri Lanka's cause.
Muttiah Muralitharan, who needs two more wickets to become the highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals, finished with figures of 10-1-32-0.
Sri Lanka must post three consecutive victories to win the series.
Your umpires can cheat all they want but u cant stop us. #1 here we come
Jayawardene (52) and Kandamby (93 not out) resurrected Sri Lanka's innings with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket after the home side had lost their top three batsman for just 36 runs.
Kandamby battled hard
Following Jayawardene's dismissal Sri Lanka lost wickets frequently, but Kandamby batted on, stretching the match to the final over and pulling Sri Lanka closer to the target.
But Ishant Sharma, who finished with four wickets for 57 from 10 overs, bowled a superb penultimate over, conceding one run, which left Sri Lanka needing 20 runs off the final over to beat India's 256 for nine.
However, Ajantha Mendis was run out to hand India victory.
Yuvraj stars again
Yuvraj Singh top scored for India with 66, but Sri Lanka began their reply in style.
Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan took 11 runs off the first over sent down by Zaheer Khan.
The left-arm paceman, however, made some amends in his second over by dismissing Dilshan for eight.
Ishant made all the difference
Zaheer conceded 24 from his first three overs and quickly made way for Ishant, who struck immediately.
Ishant got rid of the dangerous Jayasuriya (17), and Praveen Kumar, who had shared the new ball with Zaheer, then picked up the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara (four) to leave the hosts in disarray.
Jayawardene and Kandamby combined to thwart India's attack, although the runs came excruciatingly slowly.
Play was briefly held up when Ishant was hit on the back of the neck by a missile thrown from the crowd just after the 50 partnership came up, but it failed to deter the batsmen.
The Colombo Numbers
Jayawardene eventually reached his half-century, the first since scoring 94 against India at the same ground in August last year, but finally fell when he scooped Pragyan Ojha to Yousuf Pathan at extra cover.
At the fall of Jayawardene's wicket, Sri Lanka needed 121 from 15.4 overs but the wickets tumbled despite Kandamby's resilience.
He was left stranded seven runs short of a century when the Sri Lanka innings ended with four deliveries remaining.
Earlier, Yuvraj had set India up with a knock that was a mixture of caution and aggression.
The left-hander put on 85 runs for the fourth wicket with Suresh Raina (29) to steady a line-up which had slipped to 83 for three.
Virender Sehwag (42), who missed the first match due to injury, returned to give the visitors a fine platform from which to build a total.
Sachin unlucky again
Sehwag lost opening partner Sachin Tendulkar for six when the Little Master was on the wrong end of a poor lbw decision.
Sehwag was joined by Gautam Gambhir (27) and the two flayed Sri Lanka's bowlers, adding 49 for the second wicket.
Gambhir departed attempting to run a delivery from Farveez Maharoof down to third man, only to be caught behind.
Sehwag followed shortly after, falling short of his crease while attempting a third run off Thilan Thushara.
His wicket left the visitors in trouble, but Yuvraj and Raina batted sensibly to ease India past past the 150 mark.
Yuvraj got a terrible one too
Yuvraj's innings ended when he was given a dubious lbw decision, having inside-edged a Kulasekara delivery on to his pads.
India managed a meagre 14 runs from the batting powerplay, the wickets of Yusuf Pathan (21) and Dhoni (23) in quick time during that period helping Sri Lanka's cause.
Muttiah Muralitharan, who needs two more wickets to become the highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals, finished with figures of 10-1-32-0.
Sri Lanka must post three consecutive victories to win the series.
Your umpires can cheat all they want but u cant stop us. #1 here we come