Rajkot, December 15: India snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling 3-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one day international of the 5-match ODI series at the Madhav Rao Scindia stadium at Rajkot.
Tilakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara threatened to overtake India’s massive total of 414 but they finally ran short by just 3-run as India rallied back in the last 10 overs with some superb fielding and excellent fielding to restrict the Lankans to 411/8 in their 50 overs.
Earlier, Virender Sehwag cracked his 12th ODI ton, a career best 146 as India recorded their highest ever total in one day cricket scoring 414 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Sehwag was at his usual best as he dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers right from the start and blazed away to his 12th ODI ton of just 66 balls. Sehwag’s innings of 146 came of just 102-ball studded with 17 fours and 6 sixes.
Sehwag added 153 for the opening wicket with Sachin Tendulkar who made 69 of 63-ball with 10 fours and one six before the later was bowled by Dilhara Fernando.
Sehwag and MS Dhoni then added 156 for the second wicket as India threatened to run away and score over 500 but Sehwag was dismissed by Walegedera after Sehwag’s mistimed shot gave Dilshan a simple catch.
MS Dhoni also departed in the very next over giving a simple catch to Angelo Matthews of Dilhara Fernando’s delivery to start India’s slumped as the host lost five quick wickets for just 43 runs.
Dhoni’s 72 came of 53-ball and included 7 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Sri Lankan seamers then struck at regular intervals with Kulasekera removing Gambhir (11) and Raina (16) before Matthews dismissed Harbhajan (11).
Virat Kohli (27) and Ravinder Jadeja (30*) ensured India to go past 400 for the second time and record their highest ever total in one day international battering the earlier 413 against Kenya.
For Sri Lanka N Kulasekara (2/65), C Walegedera (2/63) and Dilhara Fernando (2/66) picked up two wickets a piece.
–Agencies