Commonwealth Bank Series, 2nd ODI: India vs. Sri Lanka

Feb 8, 2012
Michael Perera

Dinesh Chandimal's 64 took Sri Lanka to 233/8, a total India calmly overhauled to win the 2nd CB Series game. - neebrad / Flickr

India's cricket team cast off their away defeat hoodoo with a comfortable victory against Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the Commonwealth Bank series.

The last time Sri Lanka and India met on a cricket field, Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit maybe the most famous 6 in international cricket to seal India's World Cup victory. Since that legendary April night, however, both teams have found themselves in a downward spiral. India were whitewashed in two Test series and meekly surrendered the #1 Test ranking as part of fourteen consecutive away defeats, while Sri Lanka endured an even worse run of form, losing series to England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa. The revived CB Tri-Series would give both teams a chance to stage a comeback.

India Keep Sri Lanka in Check

Back in charge, Mahela Jayawardene chose to bat first, but a quick start from Tillekeratne Dilshan was nullified by the early loss of Upul Tharanga to Zaheer Khan. Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara took over, putting on 50 together at a decent clip, but Sangakkara fell to a superb catch by Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 26. Sri Lanka 74/2, with India slowing the scoring after the wicket. The score had just passed 100 when Dilshan fell for a responsible 48.

Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal took Sri Lanka over 150 when Jayawardene went for 23. Thissara Perera didn't last long, but Chandimal and Angelo Mathews held Sri Lanka together to the death of the innings. Chandimal made 64 before becoming Ravichandran Ashwin's third victim, and Mathews guided Sri Lanka to the end of the 50th over amidst some inspired and athletic Indian fielding to give his team a total of 233/8.

Sri Lanka Peg Away, But India in Charge

Virender Sehwag started speedily for India, but Lasith Malinga had him holing out to third man for only 10, and India had lost their first wicket at 14. Sachin Tendulkar played fluidly, but played on to Angelo Mathews for 48. India 89/2, and a brief stand between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was ended by a magnificent catch from Tillekeratne Dilshan to remove Sharma.

Kohli's half-century had given India something to build on, but Sri Lanka hit back after Suresh Raina had made 24 to make it 157/4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni went the next over, and Kohli was run out after hurting himself for 77, to give the Lankans a sniff with India at 181/6. But a score of 233 was never going to be enough to challenge India, and Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin turned in their second performances of the day to ease India home by 4 wickets, with 20 balls to spare.

Unconvincing Victories and Future Prospects

The batting was scrappy for the Indians, but they made up for it in the field. Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene all fell to well-held catches, Chandimal was smartly stumped, and the fielders were energetic and focused to save over a dozen runs in boundaries. Another failure from Virender Sehwag will not do him much good with Virat Kohli's stock rising, while Ravichandran Ashwin exemplary performances with bat and ball have bookmarked him as a vital performer for India's future.

For Sri Lanka, the search for stability continues. Tillekeratne Dilshan seems to have benefitted from losing the captaincy, making a useful 48 and being his usual vigorous self in the field, but the big two managed only 49 runs between them. Dinesh Chandimal's half-century will keep him in good stead for the future, while Angelo Mathews' cool 33* and tidy bowling established him as Sri Lanka's go-to all-rounder.

However, they're going to need a lot more than 233 if they want to challenge Australia next.