Srilanka Defeated India in Tri Series Final at Dumbulla

Dambulla, Aug. 28: Sri Lanka won a useful toss, backed it up with a forceful display with the bat and a resourceful effort in the field to overwhelm India by 74 runs to win the tri-series final here on Saturday.

Chasing 300, India were bowled out for 225 with M.S Dhoni waging a lone battle with a well-made 67. Playing an extra batsman did not make any difference as India failed to correct their familiar failings. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who made 110 (115b, 12x4, 1x6) was named man of the match.

The early fall of the in-form Virender Sehwag made life difficult for the Indians. Dinesh Karthik was unlucky for the third time in five innings. Virat Kohli exuded confidence but was unable to match the asking rate. Sehwag’s only motive was to tear the cover off the ball. There was hope till he was in the middle but attempting a non-existent single turned disastrous. Chamara Kapugedera’s direct hit found the opener short of his crease.

India were always trying to play catch-up, but were never in the hunt. The situation demanded at least one century stand in even time but there was none on offer. Kohli’s crisp drives were worth very dime but it was far and few between.

Inability to rotate strike proved costly as India were pegged back. Yuvraj Singh survived a few close shouts before nicking his now familiar nemesis, Thissara Perera.

Kohli went swinging across the line. With more than seven runs required per over, Suresh Raina’s ploy of taking the aerial route proved good. The left-hander in his urge to dominate Suraj Randiv chose the wrong length to hit and skied a catch to covers. Rohit Sharma’s wretched run continued when he was stumped off Randiv. With only the tail to provide company for Dhoni, the contest was all but over.

Earlier, India failed to exercise control at any point during the Lankan innings. Mahela Jayawardene and Dilshan took full toll of an attack that erred in length and provided width.

Dilshan had a few thick edges but that was the closest India came to getting a wicket.

Praveen Kumar was inconsistent with his length while Ashish Nehra, in trying to generate pace, bowled on both sides of the wicket. Munaf Patel was the best bowler on view, hitting the three quarter length well. The openers made up by attacking Ishant Sharma.

Tempers flared as Munaf and Praveen indulged in some gamesmanship. The incident only spurred Dilshan as he punched the cover cordon with delightful drives.

The seamers were rotated till the 17th over after which spin was introduced. It helped bring the run rate down a touch.

Full toll was taken on the field restrictions as 94 runs were gathered in the first 15 overs. Shortly after completing 9,000 ODI runs, Jayawardene tried to whip a length delivery only to see the leading edge being taken safely by Karthik.

Dilshan slowed down as he approached his maiden hundred at home. It took the dasher 24 deliveries to progress from 90 to 100 and fell for the leg trap.

Sangakkara was his usual self, looking busy from the start. The batting power play taken in the 40th over was made to count.

Despite a rush of wickets towards the end of the innings, Lanka managed to post 299. Given the conditions it was a safe bet.

Scoreboard

sri lanka
M. Jayawardene c Karthik b I. Sharma 39, T. Dilshan c I. Sharma b Kumar 110, U. Tharanga c Dhoni b Yuvraj 6, K. Sangakkara c R. Sharma b Patel 71, C. Kapugedera c Karthik b Nehra 12, A. Mathews c R. Sharma b I. Sharma 1, C. Silva n.o. 26, T. Perera c Dhoni b Patel 6, S. Randiv run out 4, N. Kulasekara n.o 0. Extras (lb12, w12) 24
Total (in 50 overs) 299/8
FoW: 1-121, 2-132, 3-217, 4-242, 5-258, 6-261, 7-294, 8-298.
Bowling: P. Kumar 10-0-72-1, Munaf Patel 9-1-43-2, Ashish Nehra 10-0-60-1, Ishant Sharma 8-0-54-2, Yuvraj Singh 8-0-37-1, Virender Sehwag 5-0-21-0.
india
V. Sehwag run out 28, D. Karthik c Sanga b Malinga 0, V. Kohli c Mathews b Perera 37, Y. Singh c Sanga b Perera 26, MS Dhoni b Randiv 67, S. Raina c Dilshan b Randiv 29, R. Sharma st Sanga b Randiv 5, P. Kumar b Malinga 14, I. Sharma b Perera 0, Nehra c Perera b Mathews 2, M. Patel not out 0. Extras (b4, lb1, nb4, w8) 17
Total (in 46.5 overs) 225
FoW: 1-9, 2-38, 3-88, 4-109, 5-158, 6-177, 7-201, 8-210, 9-224, 10-225.
Bowling: Malinga 9-0-49-2, Kulasekara 9-0-47-0, Mathews 10-0-48-1, Perera 9-2-36-3, Randiv 9.5-1-40-3.