Sehwag seals victory for India with bonus point

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NEW DELHI - Virender Sehwag was denied a well-deserved century, but the swashbuckling opener made sure that he took India home with four wickets in hand and a bonus point against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-nation series here Monday.

Chasing a meagre target of 171 runs, India fumbled at the start, losing three wickets for 32 runs before Sehwag smashed an unbeaten 99, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni remaining not out at 23 to post a dominating win against the hosts.

India, who were dismissed for 88 in their 200-run loss against New Zealand in the first match, reached the victory target in 34.3 overs thus finishing with a bonus point to bounce back in the tournament.

But there was a sore point when Sehwag batting at 99 and India needing just one run for victory struck Suraj Randiv for a huge six over long-off and raised his bat in celebration, only to realise a moment later that it was a big no-ball from the off-spinner and his runs would not be counted. As per the rule, which many would have come to know only today, the match finished when Randiv over-stepped which gave India the required one run to win, making Sehwag’s six inconsequential.

Shewag, who is never shy of reaching milestones or finishing off matches with his customary sixes, was not complaining at what many would have felt an attempt from the Sri Lankan to stop the batsman from scoring a century.

“It often happens in cricket. When a batsman is on 99 and the scores are level, bowlers try to bowl no-balls and wides. The opposing team do not want you to score 100. They tried their best. Fair enough,” Sehwag said after the match.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said he was not aware of the rules. “I am not aware of that (rule). Well he deserved to get a 100,” Sangakka said in the post match ceremony.

Though Sehwag was not able to reach his century, he guided the Indian team after they were in deep trouble with Dinesh Karthik (10), Virat Kohli (0) and Rohit Sharma (0) dismissed with only 32 runs on the board in 10.4 overs.

Sehwag, who got a life when he was dropped while nearing half-century, curbed his attacking instinct from the start and took time to settle down on a tricky wicket. He and Suresh Raina (21) added 59 runs to steady the ship before the latter was out to Dilhara Fernando.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni then made 23 and shared an unbeaten 80 runs partnership with Shewag, who struck 11 fours and two sixes in his 100-ball innings as he gradually opened up towards the end.

Earlier, India put up a spirited bowling performance to bowl Sri Lanka out for 170 runs in 46.1 overs.

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan was the top-scorer with 45 after Sri Lanka elected to bat.

Sri Lanka, struggling at 103 for seven in the 32nd over, managed to cross the 150-mark after Randiv (43) and Nuwan Kulasekara (22) did teh rescue job. Randiv smacked four boundaries in his 61-ball knock.

Medium pacer Praveen Kumar wrecked the Sri Lankan top order, taking two wickets for 20. He removed opener Upul Tharanga with the first ball of the match and then trapped former captain Mahela Jayawardene leg-before in his fourth over. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma also picked up two for 32.

Spinners Pragyan Ojha (3-36) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-34) put on the pressure as India never allowed Sri Lankan batsmen to settle down.

India made two changes to the side that lost to New Zealand by 200 runs in the opening match. Yuvraj Singh, who is down with dengue fever, made way for Kohli while Ishant came in place of Abhimanyu Mithun.