DHAKA, Bangladesh (Wed, Mar. 14) – The second match of Asia Cup 2012 was played yesterday between India and Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. India comprehensively beat Sri Lanka by 50 runs and leading the points table with a better net run rate (NRR).
India’s cricketing reputation was on stake after the debacle in the recent series in Australia and they fought well to restore their pride to some extent. The all-round performance by the men in blue helped the team to get confidence back a bit.
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| Asia Cup 2012: Points Table/ Team Position after India Beat Sri Lanka in Second Match |
Sri Lanka won the toss and invited India to bat first, the decision which proved even worse than the one taken by Mushfiqur Rahim in the match against Pakistan on Sunday.
Though, India lost little master Sachin Tendulkar on very early stages of the innings but Gautam Gambhir and man-in-form Virat Kohli played memorable innings to help India pile up a massive score of 304 on the cost of just three wickets. Both, Kohli and Gambhir, completed their centuries with a difference of just one ball; but could last long after they overcome the pressure of nervous nineties.
In the end of the Indian innings skipper MS Dhoni played his trademark stroke to get past the mark of 300. Captain’s little cameo of 26 balls fetched 46 valuable runs for India. He was well backed up by Suresh Raina with 30 off 17 balls.
In reply Sri Lanka started a bit shaky losing Tillakaratne Dilshan very early; but demonstrative Mahela Jayawardene, leading from the front, played an explosive innings of 78 runs off 59 balls to revitalizes the hopes of his team for a winning start in the tournament. Former captain Kumar Sangakkara also played a steady knock of 65 off 87; but after he got out, no one could pose the threat to the penetrating Indian bowling attack and they fell short of 50 runs.
For India, Irfan Pathan picked up four wickets while Vinay Kumar and Ashwin grabbed three wickets each. Virat Kohli was named man of the match for his brilliance with the bat.
The victory provided India the thrust to lead the points table followed by Pakistan after all four teams played their one match each.
Third match of the tournament will be played tomorrow (Thursday, March 15) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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