Sri Lanka proved too good for India in the final of the Micromax ODI tri-series here on Saturday. Pursuing a demanding 300, India was bowled out for 225 with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni making a fighting 67.
Virender Sehwag, unmindful of the pressures of the chase, timed the ball with stunning brilliance between square third man and cover before Chamara Kupugedera's direct hit from point ended his innings. Even as Nuwan Kulasekara appealed vociferously for a leg-before decision, Sehwag had set out for a run. This was a huge moment in the contest.
Earlier, Dinesh Karthik received his third rough decision in five innings here when he was adjudged caught down the leg-side off birthday boy Lasith Malinga; the ball had deflected off his thigh pad.
Lucky to survive
This was a night when a few decisions also went in India's favour.
Yuvraj Singh was caught behind off Kulasekara before he had opened his account but was given not out. Replays showed Dhoni was leg-before to an off-cutter from Angelo Mathews. The batsman, however, received the benefit of doubt.
Yuvraj launched into a few rousing strokes through covers before being done in by a Thisara Perera delivery that lifted and held its line; the left-hander was held off the inside edge.
Virat Kohli, driving fluently through the off-side and whipping off his legs, battled along before opting to pull a rising delivery from the zestful Perera to be picked up at third man. India was 109 for four in the 22nd over.
Dhoni and the left-handed Suresh Raina then put up a fight. Dhoni smashed Mathews and Perera through covers and over mid-off. Raina, walking down the wicket, dumped Perera over long-off and off-spinner Suraj Randiv beyond long-on for sixes.
Going round the wicket and luring the batsman with flight, Randiv eventually got Raina — he had stepped out — to miscue one to cover. Sri Lanka had taken a stranglehold in the contest.
Randiv was, however, fortunate to have Rohit Sharma stumped as the ball rolled off 'keeper Sangakkara's boot on to the stumps.
In the first half of the day, the Indian pace attack, barring the impressive Munaf Patel, was largely wayward; there were as many as 12 wides. An equal number of leg-byes indicated that the pacemen simply did not bowl the right line. Praveen Kumar had an off-day.
The Sri Lankan innings consumed 27 extra minutes and the Indians could find themselves in trouble with the over-rate.
Sangakkara, predictably, elected to bat on what turned out to be the most batsmen-friendly pitch of the series.
The aggressive Dilshan seized the initiative and went on to make his eighth ODI century.
The Lankan opener whipped and cut Praveen, punched and drove Ashish Nehra through the off-side, and struck an awesome front-footed six over long-on off Ishant Sharma.
The rollicking opening partnership of 121 in 20.2 overs built an ideal platform for the host. Mahela Jayawardene's supporting 67-ball 39, not typically flamboyant, was vital.
In elite club
During his innings, Jayawardene became the third Sri Lankan after Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya to reach 9000 ODI runs.
However, Jayawardene was fortunate in the opening over when he missed a flick off Praveen and got the benefit of doubt from the umpire; replays showed the ball would have clipped the stumps.
Jayawardene's cover-drive off Ishant was gorgeous.
After the first 15 overs, including the bowling Power Play, Sri Lanka raced to 94 without loss. Jayawardene was looking good for more when Ishant got him to miscue a flick.
Sangakkara (71 off 62 balls) took time to find his bearings before pressing on the accelerator.
Sri Lanka, pursuing quick runs, lost wickets and some momentum towards the end but Chamara Silva's unbeaten 26 took the side to 299.
