Kumar Sangakkara hit 78 off 37 balls on Wednesday to lead Sri Lanka to a 29-run win over India in the first of two Twenty20 internationals.
Sangakkara smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium to steer his team to 215-5 after India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl.
Chamara Kapugedera hit 47 from 20 balls, while Tillakaratne Dilshan made 34 and Sanath Jayasuriya 26.
PHOTO: AFP
In reply, Gautam Gambhir made 55 off 26 balls but India’s middle order faltered and the team finished on 186-9. Jayasuriya took 2-19 and Angelo Mathews 2-30.
The second match is tomorrow.
Off to a flying start with Jayasuriya smashing five boundaries to score 26 off 20 balls and put on 43 for the first wicket, Sri Lanka maintained a brisk run-rate through Sangakkara. Sangakkara featured in two prosperous partnerships, putting on 74 with Dilshan and 69 with Kapugedera.
Sri Lanka benefited from India dropping four catches, two by Ishant Sharma, including a return chance off his own bowling.
Dilshan’s 33-ball innings featured five boundaries, while Kapugedera struck one six and seven fours off 20 deliveries.
■COOK SHINES
AFP, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA
Alastair Cook made a successful comeback to the England squad on a rain-hit opening day of the touring team’s two-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Buffalo Park on Wednesday.
Opening batsman Cook made 66 not out as England reached 142 for three before rain stopped play.
It was Cook’s first match since the Twenty20 internationals last month. He left the squad for rehabilitation on a back injury but has been playing with the England emerging squad based in Pretoria while his teammates played a one-day series against South Africa.
The match is the first of two two-day games against the Invitation XI before the first Test against South Africa which starts in Centurion next Wednesday.
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