Virat Kohli (128 not out) anchored the batting yet again, and a bench-warmer of the series, Manoj Tiwary, who finally got a look in, ripped through the Sri Lankan batting, to win the fourth one-day, and with it, the series for India.
India’s emphatic victory was achieved in 42.2 overs. The scoreline read 255 for 4 in 42.2 overs. India now have an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series. The last match will be played at Pallekele.
Kohli, who notched up his second century this series, and the only chance to get him came on 102. In any case, it was too late by then. Kohli now aggregates over 800 runs in the last 10 ODIs – an unmatched feat – came to the crease in the first over after Gautam Gambhir (0) failed to bring his bat down in time to an inswinging Malinga yorker. From then on, he rebuilt the innings, initially with Virender Sehwag (34), with a partnership of 52 for the second wicket, and later, steered India with an unbroken 146 for the fifth wicket with Suresh Raina (58 not out). Like in the last game, Raina had a reprieve when he was put down by Mahela Jayawardene in the second slip. He was on 19 then. In the last game, Raina, who was put down when on 16, went on to seal the game for India in the company of Irfan Pathan.
Rohit Sharma’s (3) horrendous form with the bat continues. Despite the faith the Captain has in him, it is clear that he does not share the same sentiment. Manoj Tiwary (21) looked set for a good score, but he misjudged Jeevan Mendis to be trapped in front.
After the most promising start of the season, Sri Lanka squandered the advantage to make a huge score after it chose to bat first in the crucial fourth ODI against India at the R.Premadasa stadium. It set India a target of 252.
The star of the session was doubtlessly, Manoj Tiwary, whose leg spinners had the Sri Lankans fancy their chances. He finished with 4 wickets for 61 runs, sealing his place in the team. The part-time Indian bowlers hunted in pack, restricted scoring, and managed five wickets in all. Dinda and Ashwin shared the remaining three that fell in the Sri Lankan first innings.
Needing a win to keep the series alive, the Sri Lankan openers started cautiously, and posted the 50 in 69 balls. Just when it seemed that Sri Lanka would cut loose, T.M. Dilshan (42) miscued a pull of a short-ball off Dinda. The ball travelled straight up a few kilometres and Dhoni ran backwards and took a comfortable catch. From then on, it did not seem that Sri Lanka was interested in compiling. U. Tharanga (51), who jumped out of the crease to hoist Ashwin, missed the line of a shorter ball that went past his bat. Dhoni completed an easy stumping.
Lahiru Thirmanne (47), dropped by the ever-dependable Virat Kohli, did not make it count. Mahela Jayawardene (3) fell for an unorthodox stroke - This time the ‘dil-scoop’ did not work, and Sehwag got a wicket thanks to Dhoni’s anticipation.
Sri Lanka’s 200 came in 259 balls. But for the antics of Malinga and Herath, who put together 32 in three overs, Sri Lanka would have been in even worse shape.
Isuru Udana made way for Nuwan Pradeep. Dhoni persisted with Rohit Sharma and chose to test Manoj Tiwary as a leg-spinner, and hence Rahul Sharma had to sit out.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka batting: U.Tharanga st Dhoni b Ashwin 51 (73b, 1x6, 4x4), T.M.Dilshan c Dhoni b Dinda 42 (48b, 7x4), L.Thirimanne b Ashwin 47 (69b), D.Chandimal c Pathan b Tiwary 28 (32b, 2x4), M.Jayawardene c Dhoni b Sehwag 3 (3b), A.Mathews c Kohli b Tiwary 14 (34b, 1x4), J.Mendis b Tiwary 17 (16b 2x4), T.Perera c Raina b Tiwary 2 (3b), R.Herath (not out) 17 (15b, 1x6, 1x4), L.Malinga (not out) 15 (7b, 2x6) .Extras (lb 2, w 13) 15. Total (for 8 wickets in 50 overs) 251.
Fall of wickets: 1- 91 (Dilshan), 2-102 (Tharanga), 3-152 (Chandimal), 4-155 (Jayawardene), 5-190 (Mathews), 6-213 (Mendis), 7-218 (Perera), 8-219 (Thirimanne).
India bowling: Khan 6-0-36-0 (3w), Pathan 6-0-27-0 (1w), Dinda 6-0-28-1 (2w), Kohli 2-0-7-0, Sehwag 8-1-38-1 (1w), Ashwin 10-1-46-2, Tiwary 10-1-61-4 (6w), Sharma 2-0-6-0.
India batting: G.Gambhir b Malinga 0 (5b), V.Sehwag c sub (Senanayake) b Mathews 34 (29b, 6x4), V.Kohli (not out) 128 (119b, 12x4, 1x6), R.Sharma lbw Pradeep 4 (14b), M.Tiwary lbw Mendis 21 (38b, 2x4), S.Raina (not out) 58 (51b, 4x4, 1x6). Extras (lb 2, w 6, nb 2) 10.Total (for 4 wickets in 42.2 overs) 255.
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Gambhir), 2-52 (Sehwag), 3-60 (Sharma), 4- 109 (Tiwary).
Sri Lanka Bowling: Malinga 8-1-41-1, Perera 6-0-51-0, Mathews 6-1-18-1, Pradeep 8-0-52-1, Herath 7-0-44-0, Mendis 6-0-37-1, Dilshan 1.2-0-10-0.
Man-of-the-match: Virat Kohli.
Congrats to India team
I think this is the best time for India's positive attitude because. last two series what we did...we can't deserve it but it is the time to forget that one and enter ....FRESH INDIA TEAM to win and prove what India is
Hearty congratulations to centurion Virat Kohli. Well played Team India.
I expected India is won the series.All the best team India for last ODI.
This is a a wonderful victory this is and virat is so good and also raina and expesially manoj make magic with ball
I am very happy with this performance and I hope the position of ODI ranks will change.India has chance to get top position.And very all the best for next match.Congratulations to Kohli.I think there is necessary to replace Rohith Sharma.He is not at all show his good performance in any match in this series.Thank you this is friend of Teja.
Kohli is in peak of his form and its now a routine that he scores to
steers India to victory. India's middle order is really firing and its
sad that Rohit is not making use of his chances. There should not be any
place for sentiments in Team. He should be dropped. In the bowling I
think U.Yadav deserves a place. May be he will go for runs, but he got
pace and is capable of firing the yorker's which is well required at the
death overs. Congrats India!!! Keep your momentum when you play in
abroad also.
Congrat's Virat Kohli All the best for your next match...
Dhoni ur at ur best.......continue the saga
all the best
Rohit Sharma is extremely talented player. It's better to give one more chance to him.
virat kohli play good innings in correct time.I really appreciate him.
Congrats Team India for won the series in SriLanka .give a one more chance to Rohit Sharma Then we will see the results.
Dhoni must be glad that he has at least one supporter in Mr. Vicky for
his move to include Rohit Sharma. Even Sharma himself must have been
surprised at his inclsion in the playing eleven!
Rohit sharma was the best chance for india.
I like Rohit Sharma soo much , He has capacity to prove what he is?
Rohit Sharma has been more than his deserved share of chances right from the tour down under till now,he has missed the opportunity &it is hi time deserving guys like Rahane,M.Tiwari or Cheteshwar Pujara are given a chance to show their worth.In the bowling deptt Dinda seems to be out of depth in international cricket.U.Yadav is a promising bowelr &should be persisted with.
india will definately win this seriese with 4-1
please make some changes to our india team to win the match as well as series so my 11 is
Gambhir,Sehwag,Kohli,rahane,Dhoni,Tiwary,Raina,Pathan,Ashwin,Zaheer,Umesh.
M.S DHONI shows level best performance in this game . All the best Dhoni. from your fans..
Sehwag has to play for minimum 10 overs
They better DO !!
As Dhoni cant blame the pitch from now on!!
Also Rohit Sharma should get replaced... which will teach a lesson not only to him but for Dhoni too..
Sharma lost out in this 3 chances and should not be given further chances, betterment of INDIA !!
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