Tri-series: India-Sri Lanka thriller ends in a tie
India were needed a boundary off the final ball by Lasith Malinga to get past Sri Lanka’s total of 236-9 but Dhoni’s (58 not out) shot towards extra cover could produce just three runs and the scores were level at the end.
Dhoni capitalized on the earlier fine vigil of opener Gautam Gambhir (91), who suffered nerves-nineties for the second successive time.
With 10 points in fours games, India have now leaped to the ladder followed by hosts Australia, who have 9 points in three games. Sri Lanka are sitting at bottom with 2 points.
India VS Sri Lanka: Gambhir, Dhoni added 60 runs
Gambhir, who had played the innings of 92 runs against Australia at WACA on Sunday, once again failed to advance into three figures and got run out off Nuwan Kulasekara’s hit in attempt to flee for a risky single in 41st over. He lashed six well-timed boundaries during his 106-ball knock.
But before perishing he put India in a safe position with a 60-run stand alongside Dhoni for fifth wicket after they were reduced to 4-118.
Gambhir’s dismissal mounted the pressure on Dhoni and he continued the acceleration of runs on the scoreboard single-handedly with he levelheaded approach. But on the other end wickets tumbled with regular intervals.
Dhoni hit three boundaries and a six in his 69-ball knock.
No other Indian batsman including Sachin Tendulkar was able to pass 15-mark.
India VS Sri Lanka: Chandimal scored 81 runs
Earlier, riding on the superb 81-run vigil of emerging batsman Dinesh Chandimal after opting to bat, Sri Lanka posted 236-9.
Chandimal combined with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (43) to revive Sri Lanka with a 94-run partnership for fourth wicket after a slothful start return 79-3 after from 20 overs.
But the back-to-back dismissals of Chandimal and Jayawardene during the batting powerplay halted Sri Lanka’s momentum as Sri Lanka were slumped to 158-5.
Jayawardene was snared leg-before by Vinay Kumar while Chandimal got run out while scampering for a rare two runs.
Vinay, who finished with 3-46, banged in the first over and edged opener Upul Tharanga (naught) behind the stumps before Irfan Pathan dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan (16) in the similar fashion.
Kumar Sangakkara contributed 31 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin claimed two wickets for 30 runs.
India will face Australia in the sixth match of Commonwealth Bank series on Friday.
India VS Sri Lanka 5th Match Scorecard
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