Zeenews Sports Bureau
Mirpur: The preview of the first match of the Asia cup for India revolved around the all elusive 100th 100 for Sachin Tendulkar. But in the in the 6th over when Lakmal sent the Master Blaster packing, the unsung hero Gautam Gambhir (100 runs)and the pin-up boy of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli (108 runs) took centre stage as India defeated Sri Lanka by 50 runs in their opening encounter of the Asia Cup here at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 304 set by India, Sri Lanka started off rather ominously only to lose track of the chase owing to some tight bowling lead by Irfan Pathan (8.1-1-32-4) and Ravichandran Ashwin (9-0-39-3).
For Sri Lanka, the captain stepped up again as he racked up 78 runs in just 59 balls first up and along with Kumar Sangakkara (65) kept the islanders on track chasing 304 but the rest of the batsmen failed to make any significant contributions down the order.
Delhi lads steamroll Lanka bowling
Facing the Lankans first up in the Asia Cup was in a way chance at redemption for the Indians after a dismal CB series and after being put into bat by Jayawardene, India had a disappointing start. Sachin Tendulkar was out to a Lakmal full toss for just six runs. Without Malinga in the squad, the early breakthrough would have been bonus for Lanka but Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli ensured that the Lankans would not celebrate another wicket for the next 37 overs.
In an absolute belter of a track like Mirpur where the ball stopped occasionally, both the Delhi lads got the measure of the pitch quickly and started the 205-run partnership without much hoopla. With the ball coming at knee length rather than at chest, both where at ease hitting in the conventional ‘V’ rather often and coupled with some good running between the wicket there was no stopping the duo.
Their innings was identical to say the least with Kohli amping up the tempo later in the innings with some ariel shots. The always proactive Jayawardene was clearly out of ideas to break the partnership and without his prime bowler Malinga to bank upon, he had to do with his part-time spinners. Gauti in particular enjoyed milking them, occasionally dancing down the track for quick singles and doubles.
The fielding, which generally is the highlight of the Sri Lankan outfit was sloppy. Dinesh Chandimal who was the culprit of dropping absolute dollies in Australia spilled a very crucial chance of dismissing Gambhir when he was on 37. Misfields from generally reliable Nuwan Kulasekara and even Jayawardene did not help their cause.
Though, both Kohli and Gambhir notched up a partnership of 205, the run-rate was a manageable 5.54 runs per over courtesy tight bowling by Lakmal and Mahroof in the middle overs. But without the penetrative effect of taking wickets, Lanka where under the scanner for a run feast in the death overs and that is what exactly happened.
Raina and Dhoni come to the party
When Mahroof scalped both Gambhir and Kohli in the same over, it seemed that the momentum might have been halted and India might as well experience their death over collapse. But, this being the subcontinent, Dhoni and Raina knew they were on familiar territories as they started the thrust from a well laid platform by the Delhi lads. The last 10 overs produced 95 runs and the last 5 were milked for 63. Raina’s 17-ball 30 included his trademark one-knee hoicks towards deep midwicket and Dhoni’s 26-ball 46 had his helicopters and inside out hoists.
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second ODI of the Asia Cup 2012 on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka are handicapped with the absence of pace spearhead Lasith Malinga. He will be replaced by Suranga Lakmal. India opted for Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Yusuf Pathan.
India face a tough test in their opening fixture as they face an in-form Sri Lankan side in the Asia Cup 2012 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur today.
With a series of failures in the recent past, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and men are left to prove a point to earn back the battered reputation.
Pitch report: Even though there was some grass present on the pitch it would hardly change the nature of the pitch. Expert opinion: Should be good for batting.
"We were looking to bowl first as well. It is not a bad thing to bat first as well. We are happy with the team that we have got. We are going through a transition phase, it is not a settled side, youngsters are still looking to seal places in the side, there is a lot of competition, which is good. It is good to have the experience of Sachin in the side," Dhoni said after losing toss.
India:
Chasing a target of 304 set by India, Sri Lanka started off rather ominously only to lose track of the chase owing to some tight bowling lead by Irfan Pathan (8.1-1-32-4) and Ravichandran Ashwin (9-0-39-3).
For Sri Lanka, the captain stepped up again as he racked up 78 runs in just 59 balls first up and along with Kumar Sangakkara (65) kept the islanders on track chasing 304 but the rest of the batsmen failed to make any significant contributions down the order.
Delhi lads steamroll Lanka bowling
Facing the Lankans first up in the Asia Cup was in a way chance at redemption for the Indians after a dismal CB series and after being put into bat by Jayawardene, India had a disappointing start. Sachin Tendulkar was out to a Lakmal full toss for just six runs. Without Malinga in the squad, the early breakthrough would have been bonus for Lanka but Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli ensured that the Lankans would not celebrate another wicket for the next 37 overs.
In an absolute belter of a track like Mirpur where the ball stopped occasionally, both the Delhi lads got the measure of the pitch quickly and started the 205-run partnership without much hoopla. With the ball coming at knee length rather than at chest, both where at ease hitting in the conventional ‘V’ rather often and coupled with some good running between the wicket there was no stopping the duo.
Their innings was identical to say the least with Kohli amping up the tempo later in the innings with some ariel shots. The always proactive Jayawardene was clearly out of ideas to break the partnership and without his prime bowler Malinga to bank upon, he had to do with his part-time spinners. Gauti in particular enjoyed milking them, occasionally dancing down the track for quick singles and doubles.
The fielding, which generally is the highlight of the Sri Lankan outfit was sloppy. Dinesh Chandimal who was the culprit of dropping absolute dollies in Australia spilled a very crucial chance of dismissing Gambhir when he was on 37. Misfields from generally reliable Nuwan Kulasekara and even Jayawardene did not help their cause.
Though, both Kohli and Gambhir notched up a partnership of 205, the run-rate was a manageable 5.54 runs per over courtesy tight bowling by Lakmal and Mahroof in the middle overs. But without the penetrative effect of taking wickets, Lanka where under the scanner for a run feast in the death overs and that is what exactly happened.
Raina and Dhoni come to the party
When Mahroof scalped both Gambhir and Kohli in the same over, it seemed that the momentum might have been halted and India might as well experience their death over collapse. But, this being the subcontinent, Dhoni and Raina knew they were on familiar territories as they started the thrust from a well laid platform by the Delhi lads. The last 10 overs produced 95 runs and the last 5 were milked for 63. Raina’s 17-ball 30 included his trademark one-knee hoicks towards deep midwicket and Dhoni’s 26-ball 46 had his helicopters and inside out hoists.
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second ODI of the Asia Cup 2012 on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka are handicapped with the absence of pace spearhead Lasith Malinga. He will be replaced by Suranga Lakmal. India opted for Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Yusuf Pathan.
India face a tough test in their opening fixture as they face an in-form Sri Lankan side in the Asia Cup 2012 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur today.
With a series of failures in the recent past, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and men are left to prove a point to earn back the battered reputation.
Pitch report: Even though there was some grass present on the pitch it would hardly change the nature of the pitch. Expert opinion: Should be good for batting.
"We were looking to bowl first as well. It is not a bad thing to bat first as well. We are happy with the team that we have got. We are going through a transition phase, it is not a settled side, youngsters are still looking to seal places in the side, there is a lot of competition, which is good. It is good to have the experience of Sachin in the side," Dhoni said after losing toss.
India:
Dhoni, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, R Vinay Kumar.
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka:
Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna.
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