PORT OF SPAIN: India cruised into the final of the Tri-nation ODI series with a crushing 81-run victory over Sri Lanka in yet another rain-hit game here, relying on young Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s devastating exhibition of swing bowling.
The 22-year-old Kumar produced a dream career-best figures of 4/8 in six overs as the Indians bundled out Sri Lankan for 96 in 24.4 overs in their pursuit of 178 in stipulated 26 overs to set up a title clash against the same opponents on Thursday.
The Indians were 119 for three in 29 overs when the rains intervened with Rohit Sharma top-scoring with an unbeaten 48.
The rain interruption reduced the match to 29 overs and Sri Lanka were set a target of 178. But the Indians bowled brilliantly to achieve the victory under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
It was a commendable performance by the Indians whose tri-series campaign lay in tatters at one stage having lost both their first leg matches. But two big wins with bonus points have now put the Champions Trophy winners on course for yet another title.
The Indian victory means the hosts West Indies are knocked out of the tournament. India topped the table with 10 points.
Put into bat, Sharma was going steady when rain halted proceedings. Courtesy the D-L method, Sri Lanka’s target swelled up.
For India, the magic figure was 167 under which they had to restrict the islanders in order to make it to the summit clash.
Kumar’s knack of picking up early wickets reaped dividends as he rocked the opposition removing Upul Tharanga (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) off successive deliveries.
Tharanga got one that shaped away after pitching as he edged one to Suresh Raina stationed at wide second slip.
Sangakkara got a raw deal as he was adjudged leg before to a delivery that seemed to be going well above the stumps. If that wasn’t enough, Mahela Jayawardene (11) was also dismissed cheaply to make it 27 for three. Jayawardene slashed hard at a rising delivery only to hole out at third man.
Kumar soon got his fourth wicket when Lahiru Thirimanne (4) offered a simple catch to Virat Kohli at cover as the Lankans looked down and out at 31 for four.
The manner in which the young UP lad swung the ball in overcast conditions was a treat to watch. He bowled those beautiful outswingers which Dinesh Chandimal (26, 54 balls) played and missed repeatedly with an occasional one coming into the right-hander.
Once Kumar had done the initial damage, Ravindra Jadeja (2/16 in 5 overs) provided perfect exhibition of classical left-arm spin bowling as he removed Angelo Mathews (10) and Chandimal in quick succession.
Both deliveries spun away from the right-handers. While Mathews was caught by a fumbling Dinesh Karthik, a frustrated Chandimal was deceived by the flight and turn as he was stumped leaving Lanka reeling at 63 for six.
Jeevan Mendis (13) was castled by Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ishant Sharma (2/17) drove the final nail in the coffin by polishing off the tail.
Earlier, Rohit revelled again in an opener’s role on a track which wasn’t conducive for free-flowing strokeplay.
Shikhar Dhawan (15), skipper Kohli (31) and Karthik (12) were three batsmen who were dismissed in the process.
During his patient innings in which he faced 83 balls, the talented Mumbaikar hit a couple of boundaries and a big slog swept six off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
With the Lankan bowlers sticking to a disciplined line, it wasn’t easy to play the big shots.
Herath was the most successful among the Lankan bowlers, grabbing two for 32 in six overs, while his captain Mathews bowled a very economical first spell in which he took the wicket of Dhawan giving away only five runs in five overs.
Dhawan tried to give rival Mathews the charge only to guide the ball to Jayawardene at second slip. Jayawardene, thus became the first cricketer to complete 200 catches in limited overs cricket. -PTI
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