IT SEEMS that that Team India has overcome Mendis–Murali menace and has worked hard to play them intelligently. On Sunday (August 24) India defeated Sri Lanka in the third one day international (ODI) by 33 runs in Colombo and took a lead of 2-1 in the five match series. Apart from the team effort, captains from both the teams played valuable knocks. However, Indian captain succeeded in leading his team to victory and the Lanka captain Jayawardene earned plaudits from the spectators.
Indian captain MS Dhoni, after winning the toss, decided to bat first. Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli met the expectations of the captain, as they were scoring easily. But both the openers fell in quick succession. Kohli who was looking in fine touch, returned to the pavilion at an individual score of 25 (38b, 4x4), while Gambhir (8, 20b) was trapped before the wicket by N Kulasekara.
Further, Yuvraj Singh misjudged a slow delivery from Kulasekara and offered a simple catch to Jayawardene at slip. India slipped to 62 for 3 in the 14th over and was looking in danger. However, S Badrinath who played sensible cricket in the last match at Dambulla was promoted up in the order by Dhoni. Experienced Raina along with Badrinath tried to stabilise the innings, but the latter became a victim of Mendis, when the team’s total was 91.
India was four down, when Dhoni joined Raina, but the Indian captain played a superb knock and guided the team to reach a respectable total. He got valuable support from Raina (53, 80b, 4x4, 6x1) and Rohit Sharma (32, 32b, 4x3). After taking the team out of danger, Dhoni (76, 80b, 8x4) was dismissed by Mendis in the 49th over. India scored 237 runs in the allotted fifty overs at the loss of nine wickets. Mendis and Murali gave away 104 runs in 19 overs, only Mendis claimed three wickets at an expensive run rate.
Indian total was not a big one, but the pitch provided mileage to bowlers, so it was defendable. Pravin Kumar struck on the first ball of fifth over and claimed veteran Jayasuriya’s wicket (13, 15b, 4x3). Last match hero Zaheer complimented Pravin’s effort by dismissing Sangakkara (9, 12b, 4x2). Pravin and Zaheer dismissed C Kapugedera (12, 17b, 4x1) and C Silva (1, 5b), respectively.
Another in-form bowler Munaf was introduced by Dhoni, who added more to the woes to Sri Lanka by dismissing T Dilshan (16, 21b, 4x3). Sri Lanka was in deep trouble, only good thing was that captain Jayawardene was on the crease. Jayawardene played captain’s knock and kept the match alive with his sensible batting.
Despite losing seven wickets at the score of 94 in the 27th over, Jayawardene took the team close to the target in company of tail-enders. T Thushara supported his captain and played a crucial knock of 30 runs in 55 balls. Sri Lanka’s hopes were shattered when Jayawardene (94, 111, 6x4, 6x1) failed to execute a paddle shot he was trying against Munaf. India dismissed the whole team on the last ball of the 49th over and won the match by 33 runs.
Highlight of yesterday’s (August 24) match was the brilliant performance from both captains. Earlier, Dhoni took his team out of danger with a huge knock and later Jayawardene did the same for his team. Indian captain Dhoni was adjudged the man of the match for his superb captainship along with batting.
By winning the third ODI, Team India has an upper hand in the series now. The team would try to win the next match to clinch the series. However, Sri Lanka is a strong side and capable enough of making a comeback. Let’s wait and watch what happens.
