Colombo, September 12: It will be India (Ind) versus Sri Lanka in the final of Compaq Cup triangular series as India defeated New Zealand here today by six wickets.
Team India chased the total of 156 runs comprehensively. However, Dinesh Karthik and Rahul Dravid were unlucky. The duo fell prey to umpire Kumara Dharamsena’s wrong decision.
Sachin Tendulkar looked solid and compact with the bat but missed his half century. He scored 46 runs.Skipper MS Dhoni (34n no) and Suresh Raina unbeaten 45 runs sailed India to the victory in the 40.3 overs.
Left hand pacer Ashish Nehra was adjudged Man of the Match for his splendid bowling spell. Sachin Tendulkar received highest scorer award and most stylish player of the match for his 46 runs knock off 55 deliveries.
Earlier, some superb bowling performance by Indian pacers and spinner Yuvraj Singh helped the Blue Brigade to restrict New Zealand (NZ) on 155 runs in the second ODI match of the Compaq Cup here at R Premadasa stadium in Colombo. The Black Caps were all out for 155 runs in the 46.3 overs.
Electing to bat, New Zealand batting line up collapsed before some fiery spell by Ashish Nehra and RP Singh.
For the second time opener Jesse Ryder trapped before the stumps in the series. He was adjudged LBW on duck off Nehra.
Nehra claimed his second wicket in form of Brandum McCullum. McCullum was also declared LBW.
RP Singh provided third breakthrough to his captain as Ross Taylor edged an outswinging delivery and Dhoni makes no mistake to take superb catch.
After this, Dhoni called Yuvraj Singh to have a ball in the last over of bowling powerplay and trick did the work. Martin Guptill edged the last delivery to Dravid at first slip.
Yuvraj Singh claimed his second wicket when well set Grant Elliot’s flick shot gathered by Dhoni cleanly behind the stumps. Elliot scored 22 runs off 39 deliveries.
Jacob Oram joined the Elliot in pavilion when he failed to read the slower delivery of Ishant Sharma. He was caught and bowled by Ishant Sharma. He scored 24 runs.
Neil Broom became the third victim of Yuvraj Singh. Just after the drink, Broom was caught by Suresh Raina at short midwicket. He scored 21 runs.
Kyli Mills joined the captain at the crease, but he also failed to consolidate Kiwis innings and was played down off RP Singh on 6 runs.
Vettori was the highest scorer for his side. He scored 25 runs being bowled out by Ishant Sharma.
For India, Yuvraj and Ashish Nehra claimed three scalps each while RP and Ishant took two wickets respectively.
—IANS