Related Links: India’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2012 : Scorecard of Sri Lanka Vs India, 1st ODI at Hambantota
Indian batting came good in the opening match of the Micromax Cup itself as the visitors eased to a 21-run win over hosts Sri Lanka at Hambantota on Saturday. Young gun Virat Kohli collected his 12th ODI century and Virender Sehwag thanks to some early lives scored 96 as India batted out Sri Lanka with a huge total of 314 on what was a slow paced pitch at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
The most important toss went India’s way which got them to bat first under windy conditions. After an early loss in the form of Gautam Gambhir, India was put on the track through a superb partnership of 173 between Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli. The second wicket stand between the two ended in the 32nd over when Virender Sehwag (96 from 97 balls with 10 fours) was run out by a direct throw from Thisara Perera.
Virat Kohli finished his knock with a score of 106 from 113 balls with 9 fours before he was caught at covers driving a full toss. Kohli left the ground with India well placed at 228 for 4 in 40 overs. India’s specialist finishers – Suresh Raina (50 from 45 balls with 3 fours and a six) and MS Dhoni (35 from 29 balls with 3 fours and a six) delivered some big blows to stretch the total to 314 for 6.
Sri Lanka chasing 315 under lights received an early blow when Irfan Pathan had Tillakaratne Dilshan lbw in the 2nd over. From then, the Lankans were strangled by some tight bowling from Irfan Pathan in the first powerplay and later on from R Ashwin, who got the ball to grip off the surface something that Rangana Herath couldn’t achieve in the first half. The visitors sustained quite a lot of pressure on the Lankans despite Kumar Sangakkara batting solidly at one end.
In the middle overs, India made a few important inroads including the big wicket of Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka started to feel the heat of the ever increasing required run rate. Even though Kumar Sangakkara could bring up a 14th ODI century, India was always under control. There was a late assault from Sangakkara (133 from 151 balls with 12 fours) and Thisara Perera (44 from 28 balls with 3 fours and a six) but by then the match had slipped away from the Lankans. The hosts were kept down to 293 for 9 to suffer a 21-run loss.
India had to thank the services of Irfan Pathan (10-1-37-2) and R Ashwin (10-1-46-2) for their good bowling which made the difference towards the end. The 23-year-old Virat Kohli was named as the Player of the Match for his busy century.