Tag Ind-SL-2012

Indian batting is one of the most destructive line-ups in world cricket but every once in a while, they'll bomb cluelessly. Having scored impressive 314 runs in first ODI, today visiting bats came at that same pitch and returned back into pavilion without hustling the scorers like they were still hung-over from the night before. True, there was some blustering wind that Lankans, specially Thisara Perera, used to good effect but 138 allout is no excuse for a team that's eyeing number 1 spot in ICC rankings..

The scores

India 138 allout in 33.3 overs.
Sri Lanka 139 for 1 wkt in 19.5 ovs.
Full scorecard : 2nd ODI, 24 Jul 2012.

Going by result of previous match and the statistics that favoured team batting first winning 5 out of 6 matches at the venue, it was no-brain decision for MS Dhoni who once again got lucky with the toss, surprizingly. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir showed little understanding between the wickets but wayward over from debutant Isuru Udana had propelled Indians to 25 runs from first two overs. Captain Jayawardene made the change straight away, bringing in Thisara Perera and same wind that worried Udana, worked for him, swinging the ball in the air and keeping it relatively low. In-form Virat Kohli departed having just gotten off the mark while Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina were bowled off the inside edge.

MS Dhoni tried to counter attack but perished while Irfan Pathan top edged one. Gautam Gambhir had found his stance by now and added 28 fine runs with R Ashwin who made 21 out of those but couldn't continue. Lankans wrapped up Indian tail soon after.

Sri Lankan chase began before the break and their openers showed no mercy to Indian new ball bowlers who had swung the ball admirably in last game. Tillakaratne Dilshan was severe on anything lose while Upul Tharanga was solid as ever.

The pair added 69 runs before the break and then stretched their partnership past hundred after. Dilshan got out after better than run a ball half century while Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal finished the match.

Statistical facts

Thisara Perera has now got 5 man of the match awards in 2012, the most by any cricketer so far this year!

Tillaratne Dilshan completed 2000 runs against India. He's 4th Sri Lankan and 6th batsmen overall. Sanath Jayasuriya, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ricky Ponting and Saeed Anwar also have 2k runs vs India in ODIs.

Indians lost with 181 balls remaining which is their second worst ever. Their worst is also against Sri lanka when islanders defeated them by 209 balls left at Dambulla in August 2010.

Gautam Gambhir had the chance of carrying his bat through the innings, joining only 9 other international batsmen but he was last wicket to fall.