Indian team put on another outstanding performance against the home team to register their seven straight win in one day international. But it was not an easy win for the visitors the match went to the last over of the game to decide the winner of the game. Now India leads the five match series by 2-0.
Defending a target of 257 runs Indian pace bowlers did exceptionally well by pegging back Sri Lankan by making the early in roads to their inning. All three pace bowlers picked up 1 wicket each at the start of Sri Lankan inning to reduce the home team score to 36/3 in the eighth over including the wicket of last match centurion Sanath Jayasurya.
Now it was up to Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardne and new man T.Kadamby to steady the Sri Lankan ship and they did exactly what situation required from both of them. But due to good and tight bowling byIndian spinner they didn’t get as much runs as they would like to up the tempo during their partnership of 100 runs from 161 balls. Run rate were climbed to 8.5 runs per over and that when Indian left arm spinner P.Ojha broke this dangerous looking partnership to give his team an edge over Sri Lankan.
M.Jayawardne finally departed after scoring a well compiled 52 runs of 75 balls. This was his 49th ODI fifty. Now all hopes were on Kadamby and lower order batsman to guide their team home. But apart from C.Kapugedara (31 runs of 29 balls) no batsman able to provide ample support to T.Kadamby (93 not out of 129 balls) as he ran out of partner and India manage to register their second straight win in the series by 15 runs.
From India Ishant Sharma was best of bowler who manages to grab four crucial Sri Lankan wickets and all at the right time.
Earlier after winning the toss and electing to bat first Indian team posted a competitive 256-9 in their 50 overs with Yuvraj Singh (66 runs of 88 balls) and Virendra Sehwag (42 runs of 26 balls) were the main contributor.
Indian team opens their inning with V.Sehwag and S.Tendulkar but once again Sachin got the bad decision as he was adjudged leg before for 6 runs. Coming into bat Gautam Gambhir and Virendra Sehwag both bring back the team on track with some lusty blow and when India looks like taking the game away from the Lankans, India loss two quick wicket in succession first it was Gambhir (27 runs of 28 balls) who got out when trying to guide the ball to third man but in the end manage a simple catch to K.Sangakara. Then Virendra Sehwag who looks in great form while at the crease but in the end ran himself out.
However Yuvraj Singh (66 runs) and S.Raina (29 runs) put on 85 runs for the fourth wicket to bring back the Indian in comfort zone. Once again Indians were hit hard by some dubious umpiring decisions as Yuvraj was adjudged leg before but ball clearly hit his bat first before hitting the pad.
Late order Indian batsman failed to utilize the batting powerplay and manage just 48 runs in the last 10 over with the loss of 5 wickets due to some good bowling by Mehroof and Mendis.
Next match will be played at same venue on February 3rd which will be another day/night encounter.
Ishant Sharma was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling spell of 4-57 in his 10 overs.
