Mahinder Singh Dhoni frustrates Srilanka

Srilanka are yet to register their first win of the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia as they are gradually drifting away from a chance to play the finals. Mahela Jayawardene’s troops met India in the fifth ODI of the tri-series at the Adelaide
and set Indians, a target of 237 runs from their allotted 50 overs.

The Lankan tigers rode their way to 236 runs, thanks to Dinesh Chandimal’s aggressive 81. India made a solid start to their innings, courtesy Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. The Little Master had another opportunity to bring up his much awaited 100^th
international century, but it wasn’t to happen as he edged a wide delivery to Kumar Sangakkara after scoring 15 runs. Virat Kohli added another 15 before falling leg before wicket to Thisara Perera. Rohit Sharma also scored 15 runs before misjudging a run
and getting run-out.

India were reeling at 94-3 and then 118-4 with the loss of out-of-form Suresh Raina at an individual score of eight runs. Dhoni and Gambhir added 60 runs for the fifth wicket before Gambhir got run-out for 91. Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t handle the pressure
and got out for three.

Ravinchandran Ashwin couldn’t make another influence with the bat and lost his focus on 14 runs. With India needing seven to win off the last over, Lasith Malinga was expected to secure first victory for his side. However, the slinger Malinga missed a golden
opportunity to run Dhoni out but dropped the ball after receiving a simple throw from his captain at mid off. With three to win off the last ball, Malinga bowled a wide delivery outside the off stump allowing Dhoni to whip it past mid-off and run a three which
kept Srilanka away from victory.

Despite Chandimal’s important 81 and Gambhir’s sedate 91, Dhoni was given the Man of the Match award for his terrific 58 not out of 69 balls as India moved top of the points table with 10 points, followed by Australia with 9 and Srilanka on 2 points.

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Posted by Taha Habib on Feb 15 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry