IndiaPost.com - Yuvraj clicks in thrilling Indian victory over Lanka

ADELAIDE: India revived their hopes for a berth in the final of the cricket tri-series as they recovered from early jolts to script a thrilling two-wicket win against Sri Lanka in a crucial game here on Tuesday.

After the islanders posted a competitive 238 for six largely built around Kumar Sangakkara's 128, the Indian batsmen overcame some anxious moments before overhauling the target with just five balls to spare in a keenly-contested floodlit encounter at the Adelaide Oval.

The beleaguered Yuvraj Singh marked his return to form with a 70-ball 76 while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50 not out), Irfan Pathan (31) and Rohit Sharma (24) were the other notable performers.

The victory has consolidated India's position for a place in the best-of-three finals and they need to win at least one of their remaining two matches to qualify for the summit showdown. Australia were at the top of the points table with 17 points from five matches followed by India who have 12 points from as many matches.

Sri Lanka were at the bottom of the table with six points from four games and need to win two of their remaining three matches to make it to the final. India will play their next match against Australia at Sydney on February 24.

The Indian run chase began on a disastrous note as they lost Sachin Tendulkar (0), Gautam Gambhir (15) and Robin Uthappa (10) cheaply to be precariously placed at 35 for three at one stage before Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni came to the rescue of the team.

India needed three runs in Fervez Maharoof's last over and Dhoni completed his half century by hitting the last two runs, triggering off wild celebrations in the dressing room. The Indians owed their win to Yuvraj who turned around his disastrous tour with a sumptuous 76 off 70 balls with 10 fours and a six which pulled the team out of a messy start.

No less remarkable was the sixth wicket pair of Dhoni and Pathan who shared a 58-run stand and brought Indians closer to victory. The Indians still found themselves slipping into a quagmire when they lost three wickets and suddenly Sri Lanka were back in the match.

Pathan attempted a wild slog off Amarasinghe to leave India 216 for 6 in the 46th over and then young Praveen Kumar (6) and Harbhajan Singh (3) left with India still three runs short in the 49th over. Ishant Sharma blocked the last two deliveries to deny Lasith Malinga any further success.

The first ball of the final over was a wide and then Dhoni steered one towards point boundary to scamper home for the required two runs. It also completed Dhoni's half century, a remarkable effort as the courageous youngster faced 68 balls without hitting a single four.

Chasing 239 to win under lights, India were staring at defeat at 35 for 3 before Yuvraj turned things around with an almost sublime innings. India lost Tendulkar in the second over and dismissals of Uthappa and Gambhir within two runs of each other truly put the skids under their feet.

Tendulkar was all squared up by a swinging delivery from Lasith Malinga which pitched on the leg-stump and then swung to hit the master's off-stump. Uthappa and Gambhir were all nerves and edges as they put on 31 runs for the second wicket before leaving crease in quick succession.