India beat Sri Lanka in Twenty20 international, level series
By IANSSaturday, December 12, 2009
MOHALI - Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh came out with dazzling performances as India became only the second team to successfully chase a 200-plus target and level the two-match Twenty20 international series against Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win here Saturday.
Sehwag hit 64 off 36 balls and birthday boy Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten on a 60 off 25 as India made 211 for four with five balls to spare in reply to Sri Lanka’s 206 for seven at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium. Yuvraj also picked up three for 23 and was awarded as the Man of the Match.
Asked to field, the Indians had a poor day as they dropped as many as five catches and conceded 17 wides to help Sri Lanka post a huge score.
But openers Gambhir and Sehwag gave India a flying start with their 58-run stand. Sehwag hit seven fours and a six to demoralise the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Yuvraj and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (46) then took away the game from the visitors with their 80-run stand in just 36 balls. Dhoni’s 28-ball innings was studded with three fours and two sixes.
Yuvraj finished the match perfectly with a six off Angelo Matthews. Yuvraj hammered five sixes and three fours in his match winning knock.
Earlier, skipper Kumar Sangakkara (59) hit his second consecutive half century as Sri Lanka, assisted by India’s indisciplined bowling and poor fielding, got to their second consecutive 200 run plus score against India.
Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 31 off 21 balls while Chinthaka Jayasinghe made 38 in 28 deliveries.
