India win a high-scoring thriller against Sri Lanka

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RAJKOT - India stopped Sri Lanka three runs short of a sensational big-ticket run-chase to win the first One-day International here Tuesday.

India’s highest ODI total of 414/7 built around Virender Sehwag’s blazing 146 was under threat of being overhauled with Tillakaratne Dilshan (160) and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (90) leading the Sri Lankan counter-charge, before the hosts snatched the victory in the final over.

Sri Lanka needed 11 runs off six balls to complete the second biggest run-chase in ODI history, but Ashish Nehra (1-81) held his nerve to deny the visitors the dream win.

Zaheer Khan bowled a brilliant second-last over, giving away just four runs as India effected two run outs — Thilina Kandamby (24) and Thilan Samaraweera — which pegged the visitors back.

Barring the final few overs, Indian fielders’ sloppy catching had almost cost them the match before Harbhajan Singh (2-58) brought them back, dismissing dangerous Dilshan in the 40th over. Dilshan struck 20 fours and three sixes in his 124-ball innings.

Virat Kohli dropped the easiest of chances throwing a lifeline to Upul Tharanga (67). Openers Tharanga and Dilshan were in rampaging form and blasted 188 runs in 23.6 overs.

Sangakkara then came with a misson and smashed 90 off just 43 balls with 10 fours and five sixes. Sri Lanka were crusing to the target with Sangakkara and Dilshan dealing only in fours and sixes, hitting the Indian bowlers at will.

But Sangakkara’s dismissal, after he added 128 runs with Dilshan, triggered a mini-collapse.

Sri Lanka lost four quick wickets and India made their way back into the match.

Kandamby and Angelo Mathews (38) brought Sri Lanka back with a 56-run stand before Indian bowlers came back to strike crucial blows as Sri Lanka could reach 411/8.

This was the second instance and first in India when more than 800 runs were scored in an ODI. South Africa had chased down 435 against Australia in 2006, arguably the best ODI ever.

In this match, altogether, 80 fours and 24 sixes were struck.

Earlier, Sehwag smashed 146 off 102 balls to power India to their highest ODI total of 414/7, surpassing their previous best total of 413/5 against Bermuda that came in the 2007 World Cup.

Sri Lankan captain Sangakkara’s decision to field first backfired as India were off to an explosive start through Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar (69 off 63 balls). They scored 153 runs in 19.3 overs, laying the foundation of the big total.

After Tendulkar fell to Dilhara Fernando, Sehwag and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (72 off 53 balls) kept the scoreboard moving at a breathtaking pace, adding 156 off 96 balls.

But both left within a space of two runs leading to a middle-order collapse as the batsmen looked to take their chances against the tired Sri Lankan attack.

Kohli (27 off 19 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (30 not out off 17 balls) took the team past the 400-run mark.

Sehwag and Tendulkar took some time to settle down as only 19 runs came in the first five overs.

But Sehwag soon made his intentions clear, hitting debutant Chanaka Welegedara for three fours. Sehwag was at his imperious best as he tore apart the bowling attack single handedly before Tendulkar joined the party.

Sehwag’s 50 came from just 34 balls while Tendulkar reached his half-century from 48 balls.

Fernando (2-66) rattled Tendulkar’s stumps, but there was no respite for Sri Lanka as Sehwag and Dhoni continued in the same vein.

Chanaka Welegedara (2-63) dismissed Sehwag and Dhoni followed four balls later.

Dhoni’s 53 ball-innings had seven fours and three sixes. It also took him past the 5,000-run-mark in ODIs.