Sri Lanka defeat India at 2nd ODI

Sri Lanka made a splendid victory by defeating India by 9 wickets in the 2nd one day international between Sri Lanka and India played at the Sooriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Stadium in Hambanthota yesterday.

Winning the toss the Indian Skipper M.S.Dhoni  elected to bat first.  Sri Lankan bowling side put heavy pressure on the Indian batsmen and the first Indian wicket fell at 31 but after that the Indian players found it extremely difficult to remain in the wicket and they got dismissed one after the other, due to heavy pressure exerted by Tisara Perera and Anjelo Mathews. Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath also exerted heavy pressure on the Indians and restricted the indian innings to  33.3 overs  and   138 runs.  Gautham Gambhir who opened the innings remained until the last wicket and scored 65 runs.

Tisara Perera took three wickets for 19 runs, Angelo Mathews three wickets for 14 runs, Lasith Malinga two wickets for 36 runs,  Rangana Herath took one wicket for 21 runs.

The Sri Lankan players reached the target of 139 runs in 19.5 overs with a loss of one wicket.  Thilakarathne Dilshan scored 50 runs and Upul Tharanga was 59 not out.  Dinesh Chandimal was 6 not out. Accordingly Sri Lanka won the match by 9 wickets.  Sri Lanka and India have won one match each in the five match series.

Tisara Perera was adjudged Man of the Match.  The next ODI will be played on 28th July at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. (niz)