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Gambhir's century in vain as one-day match is abandoned

Sri Lanka fielder Chaminda Vaas dives to save a boundary during their match against India at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

The second match in the triangular one-day series was abandoned yesterday when heavy rain meant Sri Lanka were unable to take the field in pursuit of India's total of 267 for four.

The rain started as the players left the field after India's innings and did not stop, ensuring yesterday's match suffered the same fate as Sunday's tri-series opener between Australia and India.

Earlier, a magnificent century from Gautam Gambhir and an unbeaten 88 from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni led an India recovery.

India finished on 267 after at one stage slumping to 83-4, losing three wickets for just three runs.

Gambhir made an unbeaten 102 from 101 balls and Dhoni 88 from 95 deliveries with a mixture of aggressive stroke play and delightful touches to frustrate the Sri Lankans, who at one stage were eyeing an India total of less than 220.

Dhoni won the toss, chose to bat and India's openers, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, were untroubled as they took the score to 68.

Tendulkar brought up a remarkable milestone when he snatched a quick single from the bowling of Chaminda Vaas to move to 28 and bring up his 16,000th run in one-day internationals.

But on 35, Lasith Malinga got the vital breakthrough when Tendulkar chopped the ball onto his stumps.

Sehwag (33) was out shortly after when he gloved a ball down the leg side to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, giving an impressive Ishara Amerasinghe his first wicket in one-day internationals.

Sri Lanka replaced an out-of-sorts Vaas with celebrated off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and enjoyed immediate dividends when he struck twice, dismissing Yuvraj (2) caught at first slip and Rohit Sharma for a duck, caught behind.

After weathering the storm, Dhoni and Gambhir exploded in the last 20 overs and smashed the ball to all parts of the Gabba.
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