Cricket: India Win Micromax Cup-2012! Beat Sri Lanka 4-1!

India beating Sri Lanka 4-1 in Sri Lanka is indeed music to ears. India have won the fifth and last one day international cricket match against Sri Lanka by 20 runs today in Pallekele. They have won the Micromax Cup-2012 winning the series 4-1. With this series win India climbed to No.2 position in the ICC one-day rankings. They could have regained the No.1 spot had they won 5-0.

Powered by Indian skipper Dhoni’s quick-fire 58 off only 38 balls India set a challenging target of 295 runs before Sri Lanka for a victory in the fifth and last one day international cricket match of the Micromax Cup in Pallekete today. Dhoni was ably supported by all-rounder Irfan Pathan in a decisive partnership. Earlier, winning the toss and electing to bat first India banked heavily on Gambhir’s solid knock of 88 runs to build the innings. Virat Kohli started well, but could not last long. Rohit Sharma failed for the fifth time and Suresh Raina, the stylish unbeaten finisher of the last two matches, fell for a first ball duck. Manoj Tiwary (65) gave Gambhir good support and the duo crafted a fruitful partnership of 110 runs to put India in relative comfort. The Indian innings folded up for 294/7 in 50 overs. For Sri Lanka, Malinga was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.

Chasing a daunting target of 295 the Sri Lankan innings progressed in fits and starts. Dilshan fell in the 6^th over after a brisk start and then Tharanga and Thirimanne took the score to 61 when Tharanga fell in the 8^thover. Three more wickets went down in a hurry and India looked to take full command of the match with Sri Lanka reeling at 102/5. But the most rewarding partnership of the innings evolved then between relatively inexperienced Thirimanne and Mendis adding 102 runs. The duo brought Sri Lanka within striking distance of victory when Thirimanne was run-out for 81 runs. They needed 91 runs off 85 balls at that juncture with four wickets in hand. As Perera started extending a fitting support to the free flowing Mendis the match headed for an exciting finish.

With Indian bowlers lacking penetration to finish off the Sri Lankan tail the huge target of 295 runs suddenly looked easy with asking rate coming below run a ball. The wickets of Perera (18) and Mendis (72) in quick succession finally prevented Sri Lanka from running away with an exciting victory. Pathan took these two crucial wickets and increased his tally to 4 wickets. But Sri Lanka refused to give up the chase and made the World Champions sweat for their victory. It was Pathan again who bowled the ninth wicket in form of Senanayaka to reduce Sri Lanka to 266/9 still needing 29 runs to win. Dinda finished off the last man and Sri Lanka were all out for 274. The Scorecard:

Irfan Pathan was adjudged the man of the match for the second five-wicket haul of his career and also for his sound contribution with the bat. Virat Kohli was rightfully awarded the man of the series trophy. 

 This has been a fruitful cricket series for India with many positives coming out in batting from Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. But the Indian bowling continues to be a worrying factor with the new pacers yet to find line and length. Irfan Pathan and Manoj Tiwary have shown all-round abilities, but they have to be consistent enough to allow Team India to solve the dilemma of going for 4 or 5 bowlers. The Series had been overshadowed by the London Olympics, but in the end it proved to be an exciting event with the rewards going India’s way. 

Micromax Cup Cricket: India Win ODI Series Against Sri Lanka!

India have won the five-match one day international cricket series  defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the fourth match played in Colombo today. Taking an unassailable lead of 3-1 India is thus set to take home the Micromax Cup in Sri Lanka. The last match to be played in Pallekele on August 4, 2012 is reduced to a formality, but, of course, both teams would like to exit the series positively with a win. 

For the second time in Colombo Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. They made a solid start with openers Dilshan (42) and Tharanga (51) putting up 91 runs for the first wicket. The Indian pacers were not effective and went wicketless. Thiramanne chipped in well today made 47 runs with able support from Chandimal. Sri Lanka were poised for a huge total crossing 150 in the 31^st over with the loss of only two wickets. But the slide happened just then.

Though Indian skipper Dhoni’s blue eyed boy Rohit Sharma was not dropped after two consecutive ducks Manoj Tiwary was brought in. Rahul Sharma who was found guilty in a Mumbai rev party case recently and whose selection in the second match was itself in question was dropped to make way for Tiwary. Basically an attacking batsman, Tiwary is also known for his useful leg break bowling. He was introduced in that crucial moment. He captured the wicket of Chandimal immediately and went on to capture 4 wickets engineering a Sri Lankan collapse. But for some rearguard action by Herath and Malinga Sri Lanka would not have reached a respectable score. The final score of 251/8 was competitive in Lankan home conditions. Ashwin supported Tiwary well with 2 wickets.

Set 252 for a series win India started badly losing Gambhir in the first over. But Sehwag and Kohli took command of the innings and took the score past 50 in the 10^th over when Sehwag fell to a brilliant catch by substitute Senanayake for 34 runs. Rohit Sharma came in and failed again playing 14 balls doggedly for just 4 runs. Tiwary could not make a significant contribution with the bat and fell to Mendis for 21 runs. There was some amount of concern with India at 109/4 in the 24^thover, but Kohli stood there like a wall and Suresh Raina was in his flourishing form. Kohli went on to score his 14^th century (128 not out) and with Raina (58 not out) he made sure Indiawin by 6 wickets with 46 ball remaining at the final score of 255/4.This was Virat Kohli's fifth century in last eight innings and now after Yuvraj Singh, he has got the tag--if Virat scores a century India win!

Sri Lanka was today without the services of wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara which was a dampener for then on a must-win match to keep alive in the series. Several lapses on the field added to their woes. Their bowlers also gave out listless performances. The Scorecard:

Virat Kohli was rightfully adjudged the man of the match.

Micromax Cup Cricket: India Win A Thriller Against Sri Lanka!

India broke today Sri Lanka’s record of never losing a one day match at home after setting a 250+ target batting first against any team. And, the partnership that broke the record was the highest Indian sixth wicket partnership against SL in SL. Suresh Raina (65 off only 45 balls) and Irfan Pathan (34 off 31) crafted an exhilarating unbeaten partnership of 92 runs off 69 ball to romp India home in a thriller going down the wire.

For the third one day international of the Micromax Cup between India and Sri Lanka the venue shifted to Preamdasa Stadium in Colombo. Both the teams made one change each. India brought in pacer Dinda in place of expensive Yadav and SL replaced out-of-form Thirimanne with Jevan Mendis. And, SL won the toss this time electing to bat first.

Batting first on a pitch that offered both bounce and movement Sri Lanka was in trouble immediately. Relishing the conditions Indian star pacer Zaheer Khan found his best immediately and captured the wickets of both the openers, Dilshan and Tharanga, in quick time. Irfan Pathan who could swing the ball too in favorable conditions caught Chandimal leg before wicket and SL were reduced to 20/3 in the 6^th over. But unlike India SL did not capitulate from then onwards.

Sangakkara (73) and skipper Mahela Jaywardene (65) showed their class and concentrated on building the innings, mixing aggression with care, taking Sri Lanka to a position of considerable safety at 141/4 in the 30^th over when Mahela got out. The SL innings never lost momentum and a terrific unbroken partnership between Mathews (71) and newcomer Jevan Mendis (45) took the score to 286/5 in allotted 50 overs. It was a very competitive score and the match was tantalizingly set up for a tight finish.

Chasing a stiff target of 287 runs India did not start well with an uncertain Sehwag falling to Perera in the 2^nd over. Gambhir who had been stroking the ball well from early on found an able partner in Virat Kohli and they batted on aggressively to create a launching pad to chase down the target. A run-rate of almost 6 runs per over was maintained throughout their entertaining partnership. Sri Lankan tactics to rush through the overs by their spinners proved successful as Herath captured an impatient Kohli caught and bowled in the 21^st over with India at 113/2. Neither Rohit Sharma, Indian skipper Dhoni’s blue eyed boy, nor Suresh Raina came in; instead, Dhoni put himself in at that juncture surprising everyone. He could have played a masterstroke then and there. With Gambhir continuing from his good knock in the last match Dhoni succeeded in scripting a fruitful partnership. Dhoni opted for the batting powerplay in the 35^th over.

But alas, the SL striker Malinga had still five over left. He was reintroduced the moment batting powerplay was taken and he produced two perfect yorkers. The first one cleaned bowled the skipper and the second one got his blue eyed boy lbw for a first ball duck. Malinga was on a hattrick and India were suddenly reduced to 180/4 in the 36^th over needing 107 runs 88 balls. The ominous batting powerplay played spoilsport for India one more time! Raina played the hattrick ball for a single. The Sri Lanka crowds sensed a rout and started supporting their team with vigor. Tension built up for the Indian fans.

Gautam Gambhir completed a brilliant century of 102 runs off 101 balls, but immediately after fell run out to a direct throw by Udana with India still needing 91 runs in 69 balls. That was distinctly advantage Sri Lanka as the last recognized Indian batting pair was in. But Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan had other ideas. 

Mixing aggression with caution, subduing impulses with discretion the pair went on stoutly with the asking rate touching almost 9 per over and overcame all hurdles. Finally they made it 12 runs of 12 balls and from that position India could not afford to lose with five wickets still in hand. India reached 288/5 in the 4^thball of the last over and won by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Sri Lankan crowds were disappointed, but they appreciated a match that was a real edge of the seat affair. Dashing Suresh Raina was the natural choice for the Man of the Match award.

India go up 2-1 in the Micromax Cup ODI cricket series against Sri Lanka with the fourth match coming up on July 31 in Colombo. The Scorecard:

A memorable treat of an absolute cricket cliffhanger that would perhaps lessen the disappointment of a bad Indian first day at the London Olympics today after a dazzling opening ceremony last night.

Micromax Cup Cricket: Sri Lanka Thrash India In Second ODI!

Indian cricket tour of Sri Lanka-2012. The same venue of Hambantota like in the first one day international that Indiawon by 21 runs following a powerful batting display. Only the strip was different and Indian skipper Dhoni happened to see some more grass there, and that a strong wind was blowing. But Lankan skipper Mahela said it was dead grass, but, of course, wind was unusual in that venue. Again, a same day and night affair like in the first.

The same result in the toss—Indiawinning. The same decision—to bat first. And, the same team, no changes. But for a change the Indian innings began well today. They had a brisk start scoring 31 runs under 4 overs with Gambhir and Sehwag going strong. Then, it was entirely a different tale to tell.  

Virender Sehwag started the slide giving a fierce Perera his first wicket. It was a downhill journey then onwards. Classy Virat Kohli fell to Perera for just 1 in the sixth over. Rohit Sharma who failed in the first ODI too was the third to go in the 7^thover bowled by Matthews for a duck. Raina joined in the hara-kiri by getting out to Perera in the 8^th over. India were reduced to 41/4 with Perera capturing three wickets for just 15 runs in six overs.

Skipper Dhoni was expected to try steadying the innings as Gautam Gambhir was holding fort in the other end. But that was not to be. Dhoni was removed by Matthews pretty soon. With some rearguard action by R Ashwin (21 run out) Gambhir managed to take the score to 138 when he was the last man out for 65—the highest score of the innings. Indiawere bowled out for 138 in 33.3 overs. It was one of the numerous unpredictable batting collapses for a team supposedly having the strongest batting lineup of the world. For Sri Lanka Perera and Matthews took three wickets each while Malinga chipped in late with two wickets including that of Gambhir. Ominously for India, the last wicket fell in the first over of the batting powerplay—an area of constant concern.

A target of 139 runs in full quota of fifty overs for a strong team like Sri Lanka at home was farthest from a respectable one. It was not a good target even for a T20 game! The Sri Lankan innings started after the usual 10 minute break as it was early days for dinner. They started confidently and headed for a professional finish. The Indian bowlers had a task cut out for them.

The agony for Indiawas mercifully over as early as in the 20^th over. The Indian bowlers seemed to have just completed the formality of delivering the balls, giving away as many as 24 extras. Openers Tharanga (59 not out) and Dilshan (50) almost did the job and Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets. TC Perera was adjudged the man of the match. It was a magnificent victory for Sri Lanka who outplayed India in all departments of the game. Indiasuffered a humiliation today and questions are likely to be raised again on Dhoni’s persistence with Rohit Sharma with Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary sitting in the reserves. Indiacannot hope to regain the No.1 position in ICC rankings in this series either, because for that they needed to win 5-0. The Scorecard:

The scores are level at 1-1 in the five match ODI series and the competition is set to get keener. The third one day international is coming up on July 28 in Colombo. 

Micromax Cup Cricket: India Win The First ODI Against Sri Lanka!

India defeated Sri Lanka by 21 runs in the first one day international cricket match at Hambantota in Sri Lanka today.

India won the toss and elected to bat first. The start was a little shaky with Gautam Gambhir getting out early and Sehwag, joining the team after a break, was living dangerously. But with the ever dependable Virat Kohli the duo steadied the innings and very soon anchored the team for a big total. Settling down to his attacking best Sehwag looked good for a century, but was unfortunately run out for 96. Kohli showed his class by notching up his fourth hundred in five matches scoring 106 runs off 113 balls. With a sound knock of 54 by Suresh Raina and a cameo by skipper Dhoni Team India reached an imposing total of 314/6 in allotted fifty overs. For Sri Lanka all their bowlers proved to be expensive and only Perera managed to capture three Indian wickets.

Set a daunting target of 315 runs Sri Lanka too started shakily losing Dilshan early to Irfan Pathan. They kept on losing wickets at regular intervals with only Sangakkara solidly defending one end. Skipper Mahela Jaywardene too fell for a low score. At 191/6 in 38 overs the job looked to be almost done for India, but Sangakkara went on to score a brilliant century and laid a challenging partnership with Perera--the most successful bowler in the Indian innings. The duo threatened to take the match away from India.  

Irfan Pathan and R Ashwin bowled economically for India. Coming back into the team Zaheer Khan conceded 63 run in his 10 overs capturing only one Sri Lankan wicket. Pathan, Yadav and Ashwin took two wickets each.

Finally the target proved to be too tall for Sri Lanka to overhaul. Sangakkara’s wicket in the 48^th over was the final blow. He made 133 runs, but failed to see his team through. Their innings folded up for 293 falling short by 21 runs.

India has made a good beginning winning the first one day international, a feat they normally fail to accomplish on most foreign tours. Virat Kohli was the natural choice for the man of the match. India go up 1-0 against Sri Lanka in the five match series with the second one day international coming up on July 24. The Scorecard: 

Micromax Cup Cricket: India Vs Sri Lanka ODI Series From Tomorrow!

Team India is set to kick off the new cricket season. They meet their traditional rivals Sri Lanka in the first one-day international tomorrow at Hambantota, in Sri Lanka. The India-Sri Lanka bilateral cricket series hosted by Sri Lanka is part of the Future Cricket Tour Programs (FTP) prepared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

India Tour of Sri Lanka-2012 consists of five one day internationals to be played during July 21-August 4 and just one Twenty20 international on August 7. Most members of Team India attended a two-day warm up camp in Chennai before coming to Sri Lanka. While Sachin Tendulkar opted for rest Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan have come back into the team.

India skipper MS Dhoni is under pressure to perform after the disappointments of the Australia Tri-Series and the Asia Cup, and the slide in ICC rankings. Seemingly refreshed by a hard-earned rest of about two months Dhoni had said during the camp that their performance would show what improvement the team had made in the meantime. Dhoni would take heart from the fact that he has a good record in Sri Lankawinning 10 out of 17 ODIs played there. Differences apart, Team India got a boost with the return of Sehwag who can now partner Gambhir again. Zaheer’s return is also going to strengthen the team’s bowling attack. The presence of Ajinkya Rahane in the team is also a plus, but his inclusion in the final eleven is uncertain.

This series is important due to several reasons. First, the T20 World Cup is going to be played in Sri Lankain September, 2012. Second, Team Indiafaces up to a very hectic season hosting tours of New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Australia in the coming months. And not the least, India is going to play all of these in sub-continental conditions and is not scheduled to set foot abroad till late 2013.

Let us brace up for an exciting cricket series! The Schedule!