ODI 1 Full Time: Clinical Batting Sees India Seek First Win

Sreelata YellamrazuJan 28 2009

Kumar Dharmasena was once again on a playing field in Sri Lanka, not as a spinner but as an umpire. Unfortunately his first international stint will not have done him good as he sent arguably India’s best batsman on his way. But that did not stop India from putting up one of their most clinical batting performances to win the first match against Sri Lanka.

dhoni jaya wduPl 17022

Sachin Tendulkar would consider himself very unfortunate to have been given out lbw to Thilan Thushara when the ball had clearly pitched outside the leg stump. However, instead of inciting that the umpire being a former Sri Lankan player was being biased, they chose to take an empathetic stand for Dharmasena. Perhaps more would have been made had India lost badly.

But as it turned out, team India showed a tremendous presence of mind, resolve and grounded tactics that saw them get to victory not perhaps as comfortably but still with an air of victory about them.

Tendulkar’s set back did not affect the team because Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina went about consolidating the partnership is resolute fashion. It was also tricky for Sri Lanka as India’s young guns appeared a fearless, planned lot against whom mixing up bowlers and deliveries had little effect.

But the innings was not without drama. The early hour proved turbulent as Gambhir stood defiant even as Nuwan Kulasekara appeared to have taken a clean caught and bowled opportunity. However, the umpire ruled in Gambhir’s favour and the young Indians continued to ride their luck early on.

Their 113 run partnership ensured that pressure could never mount significantly on the rest of the members in the Indian dressing room. The run out of Raina after a well deserved half century was no doubt needless because not only did it bring a solid partnership that was getting under the skin of the hosts, but also, exposed two new batsmen as Gambhir departed for sixty-two only a few runs earlier.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh did begin promisingly, and it appeared India’s victory was in safe hands. And it was, despite the fact that Yuvraj’s cameo ended the way it did for the prior two batsmen – sloppy shots when the going was really good.

However, Dhoni was joined by Rohit Sharma, who will perhaps have to move out of the eleven again when Virender Sehwag is fit, and the partnership brought about another level headed alliance that ensured India’s victory, while not a breeze, would not be one under duress either. It was not only Sharma’s composure and knowledge of the need of the hour but also, Dhoni’s adopting a more subtle role and instead of being a hitter, chose the line of the slow and steady and eventually won the race.

In the context of the match, India appeared the more compact team and despite Sri Lanka’s recent wins against Pakistan, they will have to up the ante and rework the Sanath Jayasuriya formula collectively if they are to dent this Indian team.

Half Time ODI 1: Jayasuriya’s Century Propels Sri Lanka

Dhoni's Candid Confessions!

SL Take on India after Pak Victory

Murali Records 500; Pakistan a Humiliating Defeat

Hey Mendis ,Here We Come------- Sehwag

Ranatunga takes on Sports Ministry in pre-India tour row

Ranatunga Sues Over Dismissal

Sri Lanka Demands a Cut of the IPL

Shane Warneisims:- A Treat to Read

Why was Ranatunga Sacked?

Shoaib Mallik Doubts Shoaib Akhtar’s Fitness

Lawyers in Sri Lanka Express Anger over Indian team tour