Kumar Sangakkara slammed an aggressive century and pace bowler Farveez Maharoof produced a three-wicket burst to clinch Sri Lanka a thrilling five-run victory against India in the second limited-overs international yesterday.
Sangakkara's 128-ball 110 revived Sri Lanka to 257 for eight from 50 overs after a top-order slide. Maharoof then snared three for 42 as India faltered in their chase to finish on 252 for nine in 50 overs.
The first one-dayer in Calcutta was declared a draw on Thursday after it was abandoned due to heavy showers.
PHOTO: AFP
Shaken by Maharoof's penetrative burst, India still seemed on course for victory at 244 for seven after 48 overs. The hosts needed 14 runs from 12 balls and Mahendra Dhoni was closing in on a half-century when paceman Malinga Bandara conceded just three runs from the 49th over.
India needed 11 runs from the final over, but Sri Lanka Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya conceded just five as Anil Kumble (2) was run out going for a desperate second run and Dhoni was caught by Maharoof at extra-cover.
Sangakkara shared an innings-building fifth wicket stand of 108 from 125 deliveries with Tillekaratne Dilshan, who posted a composed 56.
PHOTO: AP
Sangakkara struck four sixes and 11 fours, posting his sixth limited-overs century. Dilshan hit seven fours from 65 deliveries to register his eighth one-day half-century.
Put in to bat first after India captain Rahul Dravid won the toss, Sri Lanka got off to a jittery start after Jayasuriya (9) was dismissed in the third over.
Opener Upul Tharanga (12) departed soon after, snapped up by Sachin Tendulkar at second slip off Shantakumaran Sreesanth, and Marvan Atapattu (15) also fell cheaply as Patel trapped him lbw.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene became Sreesanth's second victim when Dhoni dived to snap up a ball that had ricocheted off slip fielder Sourav Ganguly's chest.
Sangakkara swung Ganguly for a six over mid-on, but then avoided lofted strokes until the final overs as he approached his century.
Dilshan was bowled trying to cut off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Accelerating toward the end, Sangakkara hoisted part-time spinner Tendulkar over the mid-wicket fence then completed his century with a similar stroke against seasoned leg-break bowler Anil Kumble.
Sangakkara departed in the penultimate over when a lofted on-drive off paceman Patel went straight to Virender Sehwag at mid-on.
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