Sri Lanka came back strongly in the series by annihilating India by 9 wickets in the 2nd ODI and squared the series 1-1. Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews were the stars with the ball for Sri Lanka as both of them grabbed 3 wickets each to bowl out India for 138. Thisara Perera was adjudged the Man of the Match for his figures of 3/19 in 8 overs. Sri Lanka got to the target easily in just 19.5 overs with Tharanga and Dilshan scoring half centuries.
India had earlier won the toss and decided to bat. The Hambantota pitch was not the same as on Saturday. Sehwag and Gambhir got India off to a flier as India managed 31 runs in the first 3 overs. Perera was then brought into the attack. This proved to be the turning point as he dismissed the heroes of the last game Sehwag and Kohli in back to back overs. Rohit Sharma once again disappointed with the bat as he chopped one onto the stumps off Mathews for a duck. Raina went in the same fashion for 1.
Dhoni and Gambhir were the last recognised pair at the crease and needed to string a partnership together. Dhoni was lucky to be dropped on 0 by Mathews but could not make much of this opportunity as he edged one to Sangakkara. Irfan Pathan too did not last long and was out for 6. India were struggling at 79/6 and Gambhir was fighting a lone battle. Gambhir reached his 50 in 71 balls and provided some respectability to the score. Ashwin tried to hang around but was run out in a bizarre fashion for 21. India were finally bowled out for 138 in 33.3 overs. Gambhir missed the chance of being the the first Indian to carry his bat through in an ODI. He was the last man to be dismissed for 65.
Sri Lanka had a small total to chase down and India had no option but to attack. India could have got the much needed early break-through had Sehwag not put down an easy catch in the slips. He dropped Dilshan for 1. Dilshan and Tharanga then gave no more chances and started hammering the ball to all quarters. Dilshan reached his 50 in quick time but was soon dismissed by Ashwin. Tharanga did not want to be left behind and he too got a half centrury under his belt. Sri Lanka got to the target in just 19.5 overs and won the match by 9 wickets. The series is now tied at 1-1 with the 3rd ODI to be played in Colombo on Saturday.
MATCH SUMMARY
INDIA
|
138
(33.3)
|
Gambhir-65 (96)
|
Mathews-3/14
|
Ashwin-21 (15)
|
Perera-3/19
|
Sehwag-15 (15)
|
Malinga-2/36
|
SRI
LANKA
|
139/1
(19.5)
|
Tharanga-59* (60)
|
Ashwin-1/18
|
Dilshan-50 (49)
|
|
Chandimal-6* (10)
|
Sri Lanka Win By 9 Wickets, Series Level 1-1
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