India’s number one ranking in ODI lasted just 24 hours as they lost their second game of Compaq Cup by 139 runs to slip to 2nd place in ICC ODI ranking. This was India’s biggest loss in terms of runs against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Chasing a mammoth total of 308 runs for victory was always going to be tough under lights at R.Premdasa stadium but the manner in which Indian batsman surrender themselves was terrible.
M.S.Dhoni and Kirsten needs to do lots of thinking and have to make strategy before going into Final of Compaq Cup on Monday. Indian team who get to top ranking in ODI’s last night after demolishing New Zealand by six wickets come to number 2nd position after losing the game against Sri Lanka by 139 runs.
Sri Lanka reasserted their superiority at home, scoring 307, and then strangled wickets at regular intervals to completely rout India in the dress rehearsal for Monday's final. Nothing went right for the Indians right from the toss. First they lost the all important toss and then S.Jayasurya (98 runs of 79 balls) and T.Dilshan (23 runs of 27 balls) gave their team a perfect start by putting 57 runs of just 52 balls for the first wicket.
Sri Lankan middle order players made full use of the start given by their openers and piled huge 307/6 in their 50 overs. T.Kandamby (91 runs of 73 balls) and S.Jayasurya scored in nineties for Sri Lanka, both batsmen were unlucky not to score their century.
Chasing the target of 308 runs for victory Indian top order played too many unnecessary strokes to throw their wickets away. Sachin Tendulkar (27 runs of 33 balls) once again looked in prime form before getting out in 20’s.
Except Rahul Dravid (47 runs of 56 balls), no batsmen able to get going and Indian team bowled out for 168 with more than 12 overs to play. Thanks to the last wicket partnership of 29 runs between Ishant Sharma and R.P.Singh otherwise the story could have been worst for team India.
Angelo Mathews was declared Player of the Match for his superb bowling spell of 6/20.
T. Kandamby was adjudged Stylish Player of the Day after scoring brisk 91 runs of 73 balls.
