M.S.Dhoni calm and cool batting display who led his tem from the front by making unbeaten 61 runs to guide his team to register six wicket win over Sri Lanka at Rangiri Stadium, Dambulla. With this win Indian team registered their sixth consecutive win in the one day international.
First it was Gautam Gambhir (62 runs of 68 balls) and S.Raina (54 runs 71 balls) put on solid and aggressive partnership of 113 runs in 21.1 overs for the 2nd wicket after the loss of Sachin Tendulkar who may feel himself unlucky as he was given lbw on the ball that pitched outside leg stump by K.Dharmsena in the run chase. Later M.S.Dhoni (61 runs of 65 balls) and Rohit Sharma (25 runs of 30 balls) put on 66 runs of 61 balls to guide their team to an easy win of six wickets with 11 balls remaining.
Earlier M.S.Dhoni won the toss and has no hesitation in putting Sri Lanka into bat. Sri Lanka got of to disaster start when there last series win hero T.Dilshan run out on naught in the very first over. However the old veteran S.Jayasurya and K.Sangkara (44 runs of 86 balls) steadied the Sri Lankan ship 118 runs for the second wicket. Sri Lanka looks more cautious in their approach and that certainly what cost them this match.
Sanath Jayasurya went on to score his 28th century. Jayasuriya also became the second man after Sachin Tendulkar to score 13,000 runs in ODIs when he steered Ishant in the 14th over for his 37th run. At 39 years and 212 days, Jayasuriya also became the oldest cricketer to score an ODI century. He hit 10 fours and one huge six during his knock of 107 runs.
From India, Ishant Sharma bowled beautifully and manages to bag three wickets. With only one specialist spinner in the team Dhoni tried Rohit, Raina as well as Yusuf Pathan and the entire bowler did fantastic job for his captain.
With this win now India lead the five match ODI series by 1-0, the next match will b played in Colombo on 31st of January which will be day/night encounter.
Sanath Jayasurya was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant 107 runs of 114 balls.
