India Registers Spectacular Win Against Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI

by Santosh Kumar Agarwal for Global Village February 03, 2009

In registering third successive win against Sri Lanka, India clinched the ODI series (with two matches still to go) in a spectacular fashion out-witting the hosts in all departments of the game. Winning the toss and batting first India pulled up a mammoth total of 363 for 5 in the designated 50 overs. However the starting was not as good, as both Gambhir and Sachin was dismissed early with the score line at 24 for 2.

But then began the superb display by Virendra Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh both of whom scored centuries and added 221 runs for the third wicket partnership in a display of casual fire works. Sehwag was run out by a direct throw from Sanath Jayasurya from midoff after scoring a flashing 116 in 90 balls with 17 hits to the fence.

Yuvi too, almost in a replicate performance of Sehwag, scored 117 in 95 balls and hit 17 fours and a six. It was Yuvi to go first at 245 for 3. Sehwag followed shortly with the total at 265 and it was 265 for 4 at the end of 35^th over.

However it was Yusuf Pathan who made short work of Sri Lankan bowling by scoring a dazzling and breezy 59 in mere 38 balls hitting 3 sixes 4 boudaries. He remained not out with the Indian captain who scored 35 in 45 balls and was a cool self. The duo in an unbroken partnership scored 85 for the sixth wicket.

In reply to India, Sri Lanka started in a disastrous manner loosing the flame buoyant Sanath Jayasurya at the team total of 7. Thereafter the Sri Lankan wickets fell at regular intervals. Finally fall of three quick wicket in succession at the score of 189 sealed the fate of Sri Lankan fightback, the scoreline being 189/9. However the last wicket partnership offered a little resistance scoring 27 runs when Dilhara Fernando was run out by a throw from Sachin. The match was over in 42^nd over with Sri Lankan side slumping at 216 and India won by a huge margin of 147 runs. Kumara Sangkara was the only notable batsman scoring a defiant 83 in 82 balls while his other compatriots were in procession to pavilion.

This ended the Sri Lankan Challenge in terms of the 5 match ODI series. Having already pocketed the series the Indians will now try to go all out to clinch the series by a perfect 5-0 to make a history.

Pragyan Ojha was the most successful bowler on the Indian side capturing four wickets for 38 runs in 10 overs followed by Praveen Kumar who returned the figure of 2 wickets for 41 runs in 7 overs. Yuvraj Singh was the man of the match award winner.