M.S.Dhoni and his men beat Sri Lanka by 46 runs in 4th One day international to take an unbeaten lead by 3-1 in five match series. With this win M.S.Dhoni became the first captain to lead India to a series victory against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.
After loosing the first match of series in Dambulla, no one expected that Dhoni’s men will win the series. India not only wins the series but also some how manage to overcome M factor in the Sri Lankan bowling lineup.
This match will be remembered for some historic moments. First it was Chaminda Vaas who claimed his 400th wicket after dismissing Yuvraj Singh to become the fourth bowler in the history of ODI cricket after Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and M.Muralitharan to take 400 wickets. Then India beat Sri Lanka to create history after long-long wait.
M.S.Dhoni found himself lucky for the fourth consecutive times in the series as he won all important toss once again at R.Premdasa stadium to bat first. India got of to flying start by Virat Kohli (54 runs of 66 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (17 runs of 21 balls) as they put on 44 runs in 9.4 overs.
However India once again loss two quick wickets first of G.Gambhir and then vlunerable looking Yuvraj Singh (0 runs). But M.S.Dhoni (71 runs of 80 balls) and S.Raina (76 runs 78 balls) put on 143 runs for the fourth wicket to bring India in commandable position.
India did lost their way in the last 9 overs as they slipped from 224/3 in 41 over to 258/10 in 49.4 overs. But the target set by India was no doubt needed lots of effort from Sri Lankan batsman to achieve it. Sri Lanka's innings, as was the story on Sunday, failed to survive early inroads and faltered and succumbed to the pressures of needing a big opening partnership to challenge the total.
For India it was Munaf Patel who make early inroads in Sri Lanka innings as they picked up M.Waranpura (0 runs) and K.Sangkara (6 runs). It was S.Jayasurya (60 runs of 52 balls) and T.Tushara (40 runs of 29 balls) who showed some fight but rest of the batsman failed to help their team to achieve the target and stay alive in the series.
Now Sri Lanka has lost two consecutive ODI series at home, one against England and now India. On the other hand India is improving their away series record and improving their ODI ranking.
S.Raina was declared Man of the Match for his superb knock of 76 runs.
Match Summary
India – 258/10 in 49.4 Overs
S.Raina – 76 M.S.Dhoni – 71
T.Tushara– 8.4-0-47-5C.Vaas– 9-1-40-1
Sri Lanka – 212/10 in 46.3 Overs
S.Jayasurya– 60 T.Thushara – 40
H.Singh – 10-0-40-3M.Patel– 9-0-48-2
Highlights India Vs Sri Lanka 4th One Day International
