SRI LANKA OUTCLASS INDIA IN SERIES FINALE

A superb batting performance by Sri Lanka led by Dilshan followed by a disciplined show from the bowlers was enough for the hosts to etch their name on the Triangular Series trophy.

After opting to bat on a good wicket, Sri Lanka got off to a dream start with Dilshan and Jayawardene adding 52 runs in the Quick Start Overs, followed by 42/0 in the Bowling Power Play. The duo added 121 for the opening wicket with Dilshan stroking an enthralling century, his eighth in ODIs and first on home soil, which fetched him a Batting Momentum of 149. He was also involved in a crucial 85-run stand for the third wicket with Sangakkara, who made 71, his 58th ODI half-century. The Indian bowling was completely off-colour and was barely a shadow of their last match performance. Munaf Patel earned the best Bowling Efficiency of 126 as he took 2 wickets for 43 in his 9 overs. The Lankan batsmen scored 49/3 in the Batting Power Play while they bludgeoned 80 runs in the Extreme Performance Overs for the loss of five wickets.

Chasing 300 for a win under the lights was always going to be a tough task and it became tougher when they lost Karthik in the very first over. India were heavily relying on Sehwag as he was the man in form for them and he also played a few swashbuckling shots but failed to score big this time around. India added 55 runs in the Quick Start Overs for the loss of 2 wickets followed by 33/0 in the Bowling Power Play. Yuvraj Singh and Kohli came together and ignited some hope with a 50-run stand but as the partnership was blossoming Yuvraj got out. Skipper Dhoni then joined Kohli in the victory quest but the latter faltered in between and was replaced by Raina, who added 49 for the fifth wicket before departing. Dhoni was left stranded at one end as he lost partners at regular intervals and in the end they were bundled out for 225. They scored 23/1 in the Batting Power Play. The skipper was the top scorer for India, scoring 67, his 37th ODI Fifty, earning a Batting Momentum of 72 while Perera and Randiv grabbed three wickets each and earned a Bowling Efficiency of 225 and 221 respectively.

Sri Lanka finished with a Castrol Index of 196 as compared to India’s 126 as the hosts completely outplayed the visitors in the Quick Start Overs, which very well decided the game in their favour. Dilshan bagged the Man-of-the-Match award for his fabulous century, finishing with an Overall Castrol Index of 201 while Virender Sehwag, who smashed 268 runs in the series grabbed the Man-of-the-Series award, earning an Overall Castrol Index of 158.6.