ODI Tri Series 6 Half Time: Sehwag Ton Lifts Wobbly India to 223 in Do or Die against NZ

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Sreelata YellamrazuAug 25 2010

The signs looked precarious for a while. Then brilliance prevailed. And once it faded, so did team India once more. The most important question from India's perspective in this semi final clash of the ODI tri series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is do they have enough to stop New Zealand from the final against Sri Lanka on Saturday?

virender sehwag century against nz

Virender Sehwag played a stellar knock, one that defied logic when one saw how the rest of the Indian batting panned out. The past two debacles - against New Zealand in the first match and against Sri Lanka in the second match - was brought to the fore when the top order crashed. India's resurrection, although brief, ensured India went past the 200 mark.

India found themselves in deep trouble at sixty-six for four after thirteen overs with the wickets of Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli achieved through final edges while Suresh Raina top edged. And the threat of a premature collapse was on the cards. The only thing standing in the way was Sehwag.

Sehwag fashioned a 117 run partnership with the Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for the fifth wicket that not only prevented an early Indian innings close but also, ensured that India would have something to defend at the break between innings. Sehwag played his typical style, attacking with brilliance while defying orthodox logic. And it was his aggression that kept New Zealand at bay.

A century later, Sehwag was finally dismissed and with it practically ended India's resistance. Nathan McCullum picked his second wicket when he dismissed the Indian captain and the collapse came about all too easy. Tim Southee had four wickets to show for his fine efforts while India will now be looking to make 223 runs look like a colossal, not easy unless their bowlers push on.

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