India come from behind to snatch win and take series

Deepak Chahar (right) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrate India’s three wickets win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd ODI  

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka let slip a golden opportunity of beating India in the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium when their inexperience at handling pressure situations came into play and a match which they should have won, they lost by three wickets to give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series yesterday.

India chasing a winning target of 276, looked down and out when they lost their seventh wicket at 193 with only their bowlers to bat. But what a gutty performance their two new ball bowlers put up to deny Sri Lanka the win they at one time were sniffing at.

Deepak Chahar whose previous highest score was 12, and vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar no mug with the bat came together in a match winning unbroken 84-run partnership off 87 balls for the eighth wicket to see India home with five balls to spare. India finished on 277-7.

Chahar who was named Man of the Match was the unlikely hero for India scoring a fighting 69 not out off 82 balls with seven fours and a six to carry his team over the line. Kumar was a calming influence in the vital stand making an unbeaten 19 not out off 28 balls.

The Indian top order was put in disarray by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who took the wickets of Prithvi Shaw (13), and Shikhar Dhawan (29) and later came onto pick up the wicket of Krunal Pandya (35) to finish with figures of 3 for 37 and give Sri Lanka a chance of pulling the match off in their favour.

But India’s experience in playing tight matches with the white ball paid in the end as they held their nerve despite the fall of wickets to pull off a close win.

Sri Lanka had their positives although disappointingly finishing on the losing side. Two of their top order batters Avishka Fernando (50 off 71 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Charith Asalanka who scored his maiden ODI 50 (65 off 68 balls, 6 fours) got amongst the runs and Chamika Karunaratne once more proved his credentials as a fine finisher with another wonderful cameo knock of 44 not out off 33 balls (5 fours) that enabled Sri Lanka to reach 275-9 after winning the toss and batting first.

The third and final ODI will take place at the same venue on Friday.

Charith Asalanka scored his maiden ODI 50

Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant bowling effort (3 for 37) went in vain