Tag Ind-Zim-2010

Under 19 world cup in 2006, India debut at the age of 20 and then loads of money courtsey Indian Premier league ~ things were happening quickly for young Rohit Sharma untill he realised he's a cricketer, a performer, and all that success is utterly fragile. He may soon be forgotten by fans if his performances dip..

I wasn't hungry enough, agreed Rohit when accepting his man of the match today, having driven India home against Sri Lanka, scoring his second one day century, in consecutive matches. It was a crucial game for blue boys who had bitten dust against minnows Zimbabwe in previous game so dinner will certainly taste sweater for Mumbai lad and he'll surely sleep sound.

Virat Kohli's contribution can't be neglected in this game 2 of micromaxx cup triseries in Zimbabwe 2010. Run out without facing a ball the other day, Kohli built a match winning partnership of 150 off 168 balls with Sharma today after unlucky lbw for Murali Vijay followed by dismissal of Dinesh Karthik. Kohli was neck n neck for a century himself but was caught at deep long-on trying to overtake his mate.

Earlier, unlike last game, new India captain Suresh Raina elected to bowl first at the toss today and soon his team had siezed initiative through silly runout of Upul Tharanga. Thilan Samarweera joined captain Tillakaratne Dilshan but none of them could pierce the infield. Samarweera threw away his wicket, out stumped off Pragyan Ojha which pegged Lankans back even further, forcing Dilshan and incoming vice-captain Angelo Mathews to preserve wickets even more.

Bowling powerplay = 5 overs opted by fielding captain in which he'll keep no more than 3 fielders saving baundary, was called by Suresh Raina at the 11th over mark but umpires Brian Jerlings and Russell Tiffin didn't hear it, and hence didn't signal to scorers. Match continued for 7 more overs untill Raina realised his mistake and re-called bowling powerplay, from 18th to 22 over mark.

Interestingly, this mistake by Indian captain worked in his favour as Lankans couldn't break free, pointed out by opposition captain Tillakaratane Dilshan during innings break. Sri Lanka's fifty came in 15th over and hundred as late as in 25th!

Indian spin trio of Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja bowled brilliantly on a cold overcast day, extracting good spin out of Queens sports club ground pitch which was later criticised for being slow by both camps. Mishra was the best of the lot, although he went wicketless.

The scores

Sri Lanka 242 allout in 49.5 overs.
A Mathews 75, T Dilshan 61, T Perera 32.
India 243 for 3 in 43.3 ovs (won by 7 wkts)
R Sharma 101*(100b), V Kohli 82 (92b), Raina 24*
Full scorecard : Ind v SL, Tri series match 2, 30 May 2010.

Welcome Arun Lal

Itsonlycricket pointed out in previous match that no Indian perspective was involved in Tensports commentary panel filled with Zimbabweans, South Africans and Aussie/English Tony Greig. Today, Arun Lal ~ former India and Bengal right handed batsman, joined the panel of experts.