Indian team once again failed to register an impressive win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd ODI. Chasing a small target of 143 for victory they lost seven wickets to achieve the target and taken 39.4 overs.
M.S.Dhoni, Virat Kohli and debutant S.Badrinath scored 39, 37 and 27 runs respectively in India poor batting display. India went into the match with two changes S.Badrinath make debut in place of injured G.Gambhir and Praveen Kumar bring into the playing XI in place of P.Ojha.
India tried new opening combination Irfan Pathan and Virat Kohli in the small run chase but I.Pathan failed to read N.Kulasekara swinging delivery and got out on just 5 runs of eight deliveries faced. S.Raina sooner departed after scoring just 1 run of four balls. India went into lunch with 17/2.
However 36 runs partnership between Yuvraj Singh (20 runs of 32 balls) and Virat Kohli (37 runs of 67 balls) gave some stability during Indian innings. Yuvraj Singh once again failed to read A.Mendis for the third successive time as he was trapped lbw by A.Mendis.
Virat Kohli also departed by playing a loose shot after putting a few crucial partnerships for the Indians. Rohit Sharma once again failed as was out for second ball duck to leave India tattering at 75/5 in 20 overs.
But it was partnership of 60 runs from 95 balls between M.S.Dhoni (39 runs of 54 balls) and debutant S.Badrinath (27 runs of 57 balls) who guided India home.
Earlier Indian Captain M.S.Dhoni won the toss and decided to have a bowl and his decision was well supported by left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan who removed four Sri Lankan top orders to leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.
Praveen Kumar and I.Pathan also join the party by removing C.Silva and T.Dilshan quickly to leave Sri Lanka at 44/6 at the end of 18th over.
When Sri Lanka looked to registered their lowest total against Indians the partnership between T.Thushara (44 runs) and N.Kulasekara (25 runs) and some poor umpiring and drop chance by R.Sharma helped Sri Lankan team to reach closer to 150 run mark.
Z.Khan was declared Man of the Match for his superb spell of 4/21.
Match Summary
Sri Lanka – 142/10 in 38.3 Overs
T.Thushara – 44 N.Kulasekara – 25
Z.Khan – 9.5-3-21-4P.Kumar– 10-2-34-3
India – 143/7 in 39.4 Overs
M.S.Dhoni – 39 V.Kohli – 37
N.Kulasekara - 9-2-26-2 A.Mendis– 10-1-22-2
Highlights India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd One Day International
