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Wednesday, 29 February 2012

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Dilshan, Sangakkara hit centuries to no avail:

Kohli mauls Lankan attack to keep final chances alive

A once in a life time century by Virat Kohli 133 in 86 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes and a supporting role by Suresh Raina who made 40 in 24 balls with 3 fours and a six took India to unbelievable victory against Sri Lanka in a Commonwealth Bank Tri series game under lights at the Bellerive Oval, here today.

The Indians who have so far had a disastrous tour, and seemed dead and buried when Sri Lanka romped to 320 for 4 in 50 overs, resurrected themselves thanks to a resuscitating innings by Virat Kohli who pumped life into the innings with a demoralizing innings. Kohli was named the Player of the match. India made 321 for 3 in 36.4 overs.

The Lankans who looked easily into the best of three finals going into this game, will have to beat Australia on Friday by hook or by crook to enter and contest the best of three finals against Australia. The Indians who had 10 points before this game, had to make the 321 for victory in 40 overs to win a bonus point in addition to the 4 points and come on equal terms with the Lankans who had 15 points.

Unlikely chase

When the Indians began their unlikely chase, they were given a good start by Virender Sehwag 30 in 16 with 5 fours and a six and Sachin Tendulkar 39 in 30 with 5 fours who put on 54 for the first wicket. After Sehwag went, Tendulkar followed at 86. Then Gautam Gambhir who has been having a good series put on 115 for the third wicket before Gambhir was run out for 63 in 64 with 4 fours.

That’s as far as he Lankans could get as Kohli and Raina joined forces to make mincemeat of the Lankan attack adding 100 in 45 balls as Lanka’s bowling and fielding went to pieces. Kohli was simply amazing. His timing was from out of this world as he sprayed the bowling all over the field and over it as well.

Hobart will always remember this majestic knock.

Elusive dream

Sachin Tendulkar who was looking for that elusive dream three figure score and his 100th hundred and playing his last innings in this tournament and probably in Australia ha his innings cruelly cut short by Lasith Malinga.

Going at hectic pace, Tendulkar raced to 39 in 30 balls when he tried to shuffle across the wicket and steer a Yorker to leg, missed and was caught plumb in front. Umpire Simon Taufell raised the dreaded finger to show Tendulkar the way back to the pavilion.

With his dismissal there was talk that he might quit the one day game and like Riky Ponting concentrate on the established game. But that decision remains to be seen. It was the excellent second wicket stand between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara who helped Sri Lanka to a massive 320 for 5 in 50 overs.

Same team

Sri Lanka went in with the same team that has put them on Victory Street, while the Indians who are making a vain, but valiant effort to figure in the finals had to push in Zaheer Khan for the injured Irfan Pathan.

The wicket had no grass on it and the weather was fine, but a bit chilly as the two captains walked out toss. Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw the coin turn his way, but decided to field, looking to dismiss the Lankans cheaply and chase a total in 40 overs to earn a bonus point and stay alive.

Openers Mahela Jayawardena and Tillakaratne Dilshan again gave the side a good start putting on 49 before Jayawardena who seemed well set or another big score went for 22 with a six and a four.

Then saw the punishing stand between Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara. They toyed with the Indian seamers and spinners putting on a stand of 200 in 187 balls which laid the foundation for over 300 score.

Dilshan who has been in good form, continued that run as he blasted an unbeaten 160 in 165 balls with 11 fours a 3 big sixes. After shedding his captaincy he is now batting in the fluency that he was renowned for and this was a truly great innings. He drove, cut and played the big shots with good timing. It was his 11th hundred.

It was also nice to see Kumar Sangakkara striking form at long last. He too batted with consummate ease and played some beautiful cover drives and pulls to race to his 13 ton in 87 balls with 8 fours and two sixes.

When these two master batmen were putting on their batting show there was nothing that the Indian bowlers or fielders could do.The bowlers and fielders simply watched as the ball screeched to boundary or over it.

It was the best partnership in the tournament so far. Australia’s Peter Forrest made the first century in the tri series and now Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara join the exalted company. Kohli with his century joins that company.

 

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