Ind vs SL:2nd ODI- India start badly, End well, Dhoni makes century..

Vidarbha Cricket Association ground, Nagpur, 18th dec 2009- 2nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka took way when India leading the series 1-0 won the toss and elected to bet first. India after winning a thriller in their first encounter was expected to go all fires in the 2nd one too.

But much to the disappointment of the Indian supporters India had the worst possible start. Sehwag hit a four in the first over and was dismissed in the same over by Welegedara. His heroics didnt continue. In comes Gambhir and departs as quickly…becoming a victim of a run out by Mathews in the 5th over…when the score was still 19. Kohli joins Sachin and both join in the repair work. After so many days we could see the damage and repair attempts by the inform Indian team. In the process India reach 50 in 12th over.Everything was shaping well and the duo put on 62 runs for the 3rd wicket. A slight loss of concentration by Sachin in 17th over led to his dismissal in the form of 3rd wicket when the score was 81. He made 43 in 52 balls and was stumped by Sangakkara off Mendis.

Dhoni joins Kohli in the middle. In the 20th over India reach their 100 runs with a healthy runrate just around 5 runs an over.Kohli looked confident and was placing the ball well and rotating the stroke as well. It is a chance to this young talented batsman to prove his nerves today and to make a place for himself in the competitive Indian team…and also to strengthen the bench. Virat Kohli completes his 3rd 50 in ODI’s in the 25th over in just 57 deliveries with the help of 7 boundaries. After all the hard work what India needs from this man is not to give up and carry on to make a big score for India. Mid way through India were 126 for 3 in the 25th over with a run rate of just over 5 per over. But that was not to be. Suraj Randiv trapped Virat Kohli leg before in the 27th over for 54.

At 130 for 4…Raina joins Dhoni at the middle. Now the job of carrying the innings and also to make good runs on board lies on the shoulders of this left and right combination.Proving the things right and takin responsibility the duo put on 126 valuable runs for the 5th wicket when needed. India reached 150 in the 30th over. Dhoni completed his 35th fifty in 37th over in 71 balls with 3 fours. First signs of aggression and intentions were seen when the first 6 of the match came late in the 38th over from Dhoni’s blade. Soe 6′s later followed. India reached 200 in the 41st over…still the things going slow for India. Raina took the responsibility of putting the accelerators on the run machine and scored fastly. His 50…13th one in ODI came in the 43rd over in just 45 balls. India reached the 250 mark in the 46th over. Soon Raina departed making a handsome 68 in just 55 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.

Jadeja joined Dhoni. Dhoni leading from the front completed his 6th ODI century in style in the penultimate over in 106 balls with 7 fours and 2 mighty sixes. The 300 mark was well in sight for India..and quickly they achieved this feat in the 2nd ball of the last over. In the 3rd ball of the last over Dilshan manages to hold a skier from Dhoni at the boundary off Randiv… India Lose their captain in the form of 6th wicket. But Dhoni had accomplished the mission and had put India in drivers seat. He was out for 107 runs made in 111 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes…..Well done Dhoni!!!!! Harbhajan was stumped in the last ball off Randiv and Jadeja remained undefeated on 12.

India finished at a respectable score of 301 runs…and is it really respectable is what we should wait and see. The previous chase by Sri Lanka gives a clue that nothing is impossible. But a different day, different circumstances, different pitch…and more over the chase in night under lights might work in favour of India…..But it is sure that the Lankans are going to make the Indians work hard. Randiv with 3 for 51 was the most successful bowler for the Lankans.

See you in the post lunch session with more action after a short break………………..Enjoy…..