Chennai, August 22: India were treated to a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan team led by Kumar Sangakkara. The Lankans won by 8 wickets to enter the tri-series finals and earned a bonus point in the bargain.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and India elected to bat. The wickets fell at regular intervals for the seamers till the Indians were bowled out for 103 in 33.4 overs.
Not everyone was happy with the umpiring. Swashbuckling player Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj – who top-scored with 38 - were given out LBW which were controversial umpiring decisions.
Thissara Perera took 5 wickets – Indians can take pride in the fact that we were responsible for his first five-wicket haul in ODIs. Malinga and Kulasekara followed with 2 wickets each.
Chasing a victory target of 104, Lankan openers Mahela Jayawardene and Tilakratne Dilshan tore the Indian bowling attack to pieces – bringing in 63 runs in 8 overs. The island nation did not lose any further wicket after the two that it lost post-dinner, and reached 104/2 in 15.1 overs. Dilshan made 35, while Jayawardene scored 33. Ishant Sharma took the 2 wickets for India.
Perera was declared man of the match for his 5-wicket haul. Winning a bonus point, Lanka is now on top of the points table with 11 points from four matches. New Zealand is in second place with 7 points, while India brings up the rear with just 5 points.
The next match between New Zealand and India on August 25 will be a virtual semi-final as the team that wins the match will reach the final. If the match ends in a tie or is washed out due to rain, the Kiwis will reach the final. Otherwise it is a do-or-die battle for the Indian team.
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