D(h)o(ni)minant India beat England again

India made a couple of changes to their playing (Pat)eleven – Gautam Gambhir and Munaf (Shar)made way for Rohit and Irfan Pathan. England made a couple of changes to their playing eleven – Ian Bell and James Anderson made way for Alastair Cook and Steve Harmison.

On winning the toss, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper, inserted England, whose openers put on 33. Cook, whose 15-ball innings included a boundary, scored 11. Thirty-five ballS(ach)into the match, he was caught by Tendulkar off the bowling of Zaheer Khan.

England scored 50 off 7.3 overs (48 balls). India had conceded a dozen extras at that point. Ravi Bopara, whose 33-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 24. Twenty-four balls after Cook’s dismissal, he was caught by Yuvraj Singh, the player of the series. Khan broke the 35-run stand.

The second fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Fifteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. They had scored 81 for the loss of a couple of wickets at that point. While Kevin Pietersen, India’s skipper, was batting on 28, Paul Collingwood was batting on half-a-dozen.

England scored 100 off 19.1 overs (119 balls). India had conceded 13 extras at that point. The third-wicket pair put on 50 of 87 balls. While Pietersen’s contribution to the partnership was 24, Collingwood’s contribution to it was 27. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Pietersen’s half-century – which included seven boundaries – came off 59 balls. England scored 150 off 29.1 overs (179 balls). India had conceded 17 extras at that point.

Collingwood, whose 64-ball innings included four boundaries, eventually scored 40. A hundred and twenty-one balls after Bopara’s dismissal, he was caught by Khan. Harbhajan Singh broke the 89-run partnership.

Andrew Flintoff, who faced three balls, didn’t get off the mark. Four balls later, he was caught by Tendulkar. Ishant Sharma broke the one-run stand.

Thirty-five overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. England had scored 178 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Pietersen was batting on 76, Owais Shah was batting on ten.

The third batting Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 41^th and the 45^th over. England scored 200 off 40.4 overs (248 balls). India had conceded 18 extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded.

The fifth-wicket pair put on 50 of 69 balls. While Pietersen’s contribution to the partnership was 21, Shah’s contribution to it was 28. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

While Pietersen’s ton – which included nine boundaries and a six – came off 119 balls, Shah’s half-century – which included seven bou.ndaries – came off 48 balls.

England scored 250 off 47.3 overs (289 balls). The fifth-wicket pair put on 100 of 109 balls. While Pietersen’s contribution to the partnership was 39, Shah’s contribution to it was 60. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Pietersen, whose 128-ball innings included 10 boundaries and a six, eventually scored 111. He was unbeaten, as was Shah, who scored 66. His 57-ball innings included nine boundaries. England scored 270 for the loss of four wickets off 50 overs.

All the bowlers bowled 10 overs apiece. Irfan and Yuvraj were wicketless. While the former, whose spell included a maiden, conceded 57, the latter conceded 38.

Ishant and Harbhajan picked up a wicket apiece. While the former conceded 54, the latter conceded 47. Khan, whose spell included a maiden, conceded 60. He picked up a couple of scalps.

India’s openers put on 50 off 7.5 overs (49 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was four. While the contribution of Virender Sehwag, the player of the match, to the partnership was 31, Sachin Tendulkar’s contribution to it was 14.

The second fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 12^th and the 16^th over. Sehwag’s half-century – which included 10 boundaries and a six – came off 41 balls.

India’s openers put on 100 off 14.1 overs (89 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was half-a-dozen. While Sehwag’s contribution to the partnership was 55, Tendulkar’s contribution to it was 39. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was half-a-dozen.

Fifteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 105 without the loss of a wicket at that point. While Sehwag was batting on 57, Tendulkar was batting on 41.

Tendulkar’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries – came off 54 balls. He eventually faced 57 balls. A hundred and nineteen balls into the chase, Harmison broke the 136-run partnership.

India’s openers put on 150 off 22.1 overs (139 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was eight.

Yuvraj, who faced nine balls, scored half-a-dozen. Nineteen balls later, he was caught by Bopara, who broke the 20-run stand. The third-wicket pair didn’t get off the mark. Sehwag, whose 73-ball innings included 15 boundaries and a six, eventually scored 91. The next ball, he was trapped leg before wicket by Stuart Broad.

Twenty-nine overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 173 without the loss of three wickets at that point. While the man from Ranchi was batting on (Dho)nine, Raina was batting on eight.

India scored 200 off 33.2 overs (207 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was 10. The fourth-wicket pair put on 50 off 76 balls. While Dhoni’s contribution to the partnership was 28, Raina’s contribution to it was 21. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

The third batting Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 41^st and the 45^th over. India scored 250 off 40.5 overs (252 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was 10.

Mahi’s half-century – which included five boundaries – came off 60 balls. He eventually faced 61 balls. A hundred and seven balls after Sehwag’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before by Graeme Swann, who broke the (Dho)ninety-four-run partnership.

Raina’s half-century – which included eight boundaries – came off as many balls. He scored 53 off as many balls. He was unbeaten, as was Rohit, who scored eight. His 10-ball innings included a boundary.

England eventually conceded 15 extras. India, who scored 273 for the loss of four wickets off 43.4 overs, won by half-a-dozen wickets off 38 balls. Samit Patel, who bowled three overs, conceded 23. He was wicketless, as was Flintoff, who bowled nine overs, conceding 43.

Bopara bowled half-a-dozen overs, including a maiden. He conceded 42, picking up a wicket. Swann, who bowled seven overs, conceded 56. He picked up a wicket. Broad, who bowled 8.4 overs, conceded 54. He picked up a wicket. Harmison bowled 10 overs, including a maiden. He conceded 50, picking up a scalp.

Owing to the Mumbai attacks (which, incidentally, took place the same day as the fifth One-day International in Cuttack), the seven-match series was reduced to a five-match series, with the sixth and seventh matches – which were slated to be played in Guwahati and Delhi on November 29 and December 2, 2008, respectively – being cancelled for security reasons.

Hence, the Indians won the five-match series 5-0.

Rain, India leave England D(hon)isappointed

India made just one change to their playing eleven – Rohit (Shar)made way for Sachin Tendulkar. England made no changes to their playing eleven.

On winning the toss, Pietersen, England’s skipper, (Kev)inserted the hosts, who scored 38. Tendulkar, whose 21-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, scored 11. Forty-seven balls later, Stuart Broad broke the 38-run stand.

India scored 50 off 9.2 overs (57 balls). England had conceded a couple of extras at that point. The second fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 14^th over.

Seventy-seven balls into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 79 for the loss of a wicket at that point. While Virender Sehwag, the player of the match, was batting on 43, Gautam Gambhir was batting on 22.

Fourteen overs into the match, there was an interruption due to rain. India had scored 82 for the loss of a wicket at that point. While Sehwag was batting on 45, Gambhir was batting on 23.  The match was reduced to a 44-overs-a-side match.

The second fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 14^th and the 17^th over. The second-wicket pair put on 50 off 42 balls. While Sehwag’s contribution to the partnership was 20, Gambhir’s contribution to it was 28. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a couple.

Sehwag’s half-century – which included eight boundaries and a six – came off 48 balls. India scored 100 off 16 overs (98 balls). England had conceded three extras at that point.

Seventeen overs into the match, there was an interruption due to rain, which resulted in a wet ground. India had scored 106 for the loss of a wicket at that point. While Sehwag was batting on 61, Gambhir was batting on 30.  The match was reduced to a 22-overs-a-side match.

Sehwag, whose 57-ball innings included nine boundaries and three sixes, eventually scored 69. Sixty-two balls after Tendulkar’s dismissal, he was caught by James Anderson. Graeme Swann broke the 79-run partnership.

Gambhir, whose 37-ball innings included seven boundaries, eventually scored 40. Thirteen balls later, he was caught by Anderson. Swann broke the 25-run stand.

India scored 150 off 20.5 overs (129 balls). England had conceded half-a-dozen extras at that point. Yuvraj Singh, whose 11-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 25. He was unbeaten.

Mahendra Singh, India’s skipper, scoreD(ho)nine. His five-ball innings included a six. Nine balls after Gambhir’s dismissal, Samit Patel broke the 18-run stand. Yusuf Pathan, who faced a ball, scored half-a-dozen. He was unbeaten.

England eventually conceded half-a-dozen extras. India scored 166 for the loss of four wickets off 22 overs. Pietersen, who bowled a wicketless over, conceded 17. Anderson and Andrew Flintoff bowled five wicketless overs apiece. While the former conceded 33, the latter conceded 20.

Samit, who bowled three overs, conceded 24. He picked up a wicket, as was Broad, who bowled half-a-dozen overs, including a maiden. He conceded 49. Swann, who bowled a couple of overs, conceded 21. He picked up a couple of scalps.

England’s target was revised to 198 off 22 overs. Ravi Bopara had no reason to be in seventh heaven – he scored just a run. Eight balls into the match, he was caught by Ishant Sharma. Munaf Patel broke the one-run stand.

The second fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the fifth and the sixth over. Ian Bell, whose 15-ball innings included a boundary, scored a dozen. Thirty-eight balls later, Harbhajan Singh broke the 43-run partnership.

England scored 50 off 8.2 overs (51 balls). India had conceded a couple of extras at that point. Owais Shah’s half-century – which included nine boundaries and a six – came off 35 balls.

Pietersen, whose run-a-ball innings included a boundary, scored five. Sharma had a reason to be in seventh heaven – he broke the eight-run stand.

England scored 100 off 13 overs (80 balls). India had conceded three extras at that point. The fourth-wicket put on 50 off 27 balls. While Shah’s contribution to the partnership was 29, Flintoff’s contribution to it was 22. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. England had scored 131 for the loss of three wickets at that point. While Shah was batting on 71, Flintoff was batting on 37. The second fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 17^th and the 18^th over.

Shah, whose 48-ball innings included nine boundaries and three sixes, eventually scored 72. Forty-eight balls after Pietersen’s dismissal, he was caught by Tendulkar. Zaheer Khan broke the 82-run partnership.

Flintoff, whose 30-ball innings included three boundaries and a six, eventually scored 41. Five balls later, he was caught by Khan. Needless to say, Sharma was in seventh heaven.

England scored 150 off 18.4 overs (114 balls). India had conceded five extras at that point. Samit, whose nine-ball innings included a boundary, scored 11. Fourteen balls later, he was caught by Gambhir. Khan broke the 20-run stand.

The seventh-wicket pair put on 17. Swann, whose four-ball innings included a boundary, scored five. Ten balls later, Munaf ran him out. The eighth-wicket pair didn’t get off the mark. Paul Collingwood, whose 14-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 22. The next ball, he was caught by Tendulkar off the bowling of Patel.

Matt Prior, who didn’t face a ball, was unbeaten, as was Broad, who faced a ball, failing to open his account. India eventually conceded nine extras. England, who scored 178 for the loss of eight wickets off 22 overs, lost by 19 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Pathan, who bowled an over, conceded 17. He was wicketless, as was Yuvraj, who bowled three overs, conceding 31. Harbhajan, who bowled four overs, conceded 42. He picked up a wicket.

Munaf bowled four overs, including a maiden. He conceded 22, picking up two wickets. Sharma and Khan bowled five overs apiece, picking up a couple of scalps apiece. While the former conceded 41, the latter conceded 20. 

India led the seven-match series 4-0. In fact, they won the series with three matches to spare.

Bad light, India D(hon)isappoint England

India (Shar)made just one change to theiR Playing eleven – Singh made way for Ishant. England made one change to the eleven that last played the Indians – Steve Harmison made way for Graeme Swann.

On winning the toss, Kevin Pietersen, England’s skipper, chose to bat. The match got off to a delayed start.

The second Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Their openers put on 50 off 11 overs (66 balls). Extras didn’t contribute to the partnership. While Ravi Bopara was batting on 18, Ian Bell was batting on 32.

Bell, whose 47-ball innings included eight balls, scored 46. Eighty-seven balls into the match, he was caught by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper. Munaf Patel broke the 79-run partnership.

Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. England had scored 82 for the loss of a wicket at that point. While Bopara was batting on 32, Pietersen was batting on a couple.

England scored 100 off 18.3 overs (113 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was three. Pietersen, whose 16-ball innings included a six, eventually scored 13. Twenty-eight balls later, he was caught by Zaheer Khan. Harbhajan Singh, the player of the match, broke the 23-run stand.

Bopara’s half-century – which included eight boundaries – came off 64 balls. Paul Collingwood, who faced 11 balls, scored just a run. Thirteen balls later, he was stumped by Dhoni. Harbhajan broke the four-run stand.

England scored 150 off 32.2 overs (197 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was four. Thirty-six overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. England had scored 166 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Flintoff was batting on 26, Owais Shah was batting on 15.

Flintoff, whose 46-ball innings included a boundary, didn’t add to the aforementioned score. Forty-five balls after Collingwood’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yusuf Pathan, who broke the 34-run stand.

The third Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 40^th and the 44^th over. They scored 200 off 43.3 overs (265 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was five.

Shah, whose 42-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, eventually scored 40. Forty-four balls later, he was caught by Khan. Harbhajan broke the 36-run stand. It was the off-spinner’s 200^th wicket in One-day Internationals.

Samit Patel, whose 29-ball innings included a boundary and a six, scored 26. Eighteen balls later, he was caught by Suresh Raina. Ishant broke the 28-run stand. The eighth-wicket pair didn’t get off the mark. Matt Prior, who faced 13 balls, scored five. The next ball, he was dismissed by Ishant.

Swann, who faced five balls, scored as many. He was unbeaten. Stuart Broad, who faced three balls, didn’t get off the mark. Half-a-dozen balls later, he was caught by Dhoni. Khan broke the four-run stand. James Anderson, who faced three balls, scored a run. Five balls later, Munaf broke the run-a-ball stand.

India eventually conceded 17 extras. England were dismissed for 240 off 48.4 overs. Virender Sehwag, who bowled a wicketless over, conceded four. Pathan, who bowled a couple of overs, had a reason to be in seventh heaven – he picked up a wicket.

Yuvraj and Khan bowled 10 overs each, picking up a wicket apiece. While the former conceded 54, the latter conceded 45.

Patel, who bowled 6.4 overs, conceded 36. He picked up a couple of scalps, as did Ishant, who bowled nine overs, conceding 60. Harbhajan bowled 10 overs, including a couple of maidens. He conceded 31, picking up three scalps.

India’s target was revised to 183 off 40 overs. Gautam Gambhir, whose 17-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 14. Forty-one balls into the chase, he was caught by Broad. Flintoff broke the 31-run stand. Raina, who faced eight balls, scored just a run. Fourteen balls later, Broad broke the three-run stand.

The second Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. India scored 50 off 12.3 overs (76 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a couple.

Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 72 for the loss of a couple of wickets at that point. While Sehwag was batting on 41, Rohit Sharma was batting on 14.

Sehwag’s half-century – which included seven boundaries and a six – came off 64 balls. The third-wicket pair put on 50 off 57 balls. While Sehwag’s contribution to the partnership was 35, Rohit’s contribution to it was 18. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

India scored 100 off 20.1 overs (122 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a couple. Rohit, whose 41-ball innings included three boundaries, eventually scored 28. Seventy-eight balls into the match, he was caught by Prior. Swann broke the 73-run partnership.

Sehwag, whose 76-ball innings included eight boundaries and a six, eventually scored 68. Sixteen balls later, he was caught by Collingwood. Flintoff broke the 18-run stand.

Thirty-three overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 144 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Yuvraj was batting on 19, Dhoni was batting on 10.

India scored 150 off 33.3 overs (203 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was five. The third Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 35^th and the 39^th over.

The fifth-wicket pair put on 50 off 62 balls. While Yuvraj’s contribution to the partnership was 27, Dhoni’s contribution to it was 20. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was four.

Yuvraj, whose 31-ball innings included a couple of boundaries and a six, eventually scored 38. Sixty-four balls after Sehwag’s dismissal, he was caught by Broad. Flintoff broke the 52-run partnership.

Dhoni, whose 51-ball innings included four boundaries, scored 29. He was unbeaten, as was Pathan, who scored a dozen. His 16-ball innings included a couple of boundaries.

England eventually conceded 17 extras. India, who scored 198 for the loss of five wickets off 40 overs, won by 16 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method (owing to bad light). Samit and Pietersen bowled three wicketless overs apiece. While the former conceded 18, the latter conceded 14.

Anderson bowled half-a-dozen wicketless overs, conceding 47. Broad bowled nine overs, including two maidens. He conceded 36, picking up a wicket. Swann, who bowled 10 overs, conceded 47. He picked up a wicket. Flintoff, who bowled nine overs, conceded 31. He picked up three scalps.

India led the seven-match series 3-0.

India leave England D(hon)isappointed again

Neither India nor England made any changes to their playing eleven. On winning the toss, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper, chose to bat.

Virender Sehwag, who faced four balls, scored a run. Eight balls into the match, Stuart Broad broke the four-run stand. Suresh Raina, who faced nine balls, scored four. His runs came by way of a boundary. Fourteen balls later, he was caught by Samit. Broad broke the (Pat)eleven-run stand.

Rohit Sharma, who faced 13 balls, scored three. Twenty-three balls later, he was caught by Owais Shah. Broad broke the 14-run stand.

The second fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. They scored 50 off 12.1 overs (76 balls). England had conceded 10 extras at that point.

Fifteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 61 for the loss of three wickets at that point. While Gautam Gambhir was batting on 25, Yuvraj Singh, the player of the match, was batting on 16.

The fourth-wicket pair put on 50 off 63 balls. While Gambhir’s contribution to the partnership was 18, Yuvraj’s contribution to it was 25. Extras’ contribution to it was eight.

India scored 100 off 20.2 overs (126 balls). England had conceded 11 extras at that point. While Gambhir’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries – came off 56 balls, Yuvraj’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries and a couple of sixes – came off 61 balls.

The fourth-wicket pair put on 100 off 107 balls. While Gambhir’s contribution to the partnership was 39, Yuvraj’s contribution to it was 53. Extras’ contribution to it was eight.

India scored 150 off 28.3 overs (175 balls). England had conceded 11 extras at that point. Gambhir, whose 76-ball (Kev)innings included half-a-dozen boundaries and a six, eventually scored 70. A hundred and thirty-five balls after Sharma’s dismissal, Pietersen, England’s skipper, broke the 134-rin partnership.

Thirty-two overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 170 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Yuvraj Singh was batting on 81, Dhoni hadn’t opened his account.

India scored 200 off 38.1 overs (233 balls). England had conceded 13 extras at that point. Yuvraj’s ton – which included a dozen boundaries and a couple of sixes – came off 107 balls.

The man from Ranchi, whose 26-ball innings included a boundary, scored 15. (Dho)Nine overs after Gambhir’s dismissal, Paul Collingwood broke the 43-run stand.

Yuvraj, whose 122-ball innings included 15 boundaries in addition to the aforementioned number of sixes, eventually scored 118. Twenty-eight balls later, he was caught by Prior. Broad broke the 33-run stand.

The third fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 43^rd and the 47^th over. They scored 250 off 45.1 overs (276 balls). England had conceded 15 extras at that point.

It happened to be Yusuf Pathan’s 26^th birthday, and he certainly had a reason to celebrate – he scored a 29-ball half-century, which included a couple of boundaries and four sixes, and was unbeaten.

The seventh-wicket pair put on 19. Harbhajan Singh, who faced 14 balls, scored eight. Seventeen balls later, Pietersen ran him out. The eighth-wicket pair put on three. Zaheer Khan had no reason to be in seventh heaven – he scored just a run. Eight balls later, Samit ran him out.

R P Singh, who faced five balls, scored four. Eight balls later, Steve Harmison broke the 13-run stand. Munaf Patel, who faced a ball, didn’t get off the mark. He was unbeaten.

England eventually conceded 18 extras. India scored 292 for the loss of nine wickets off 50 overs. Samit, who bowled five wicketless overs, conceded 37. James Anderson, who bowled half-a-dozen wicketless overs, conceded 26. Andrew Flintoff, who bowled nine wicketless overs, conceded 49.

Pietersen, who bowled five overs, conceded 20. He picked up a wicket. Harmison bowled seven overs, including a maiden. He conceded 50, picking up a wicket. Collingwood, who bowled eight overs, conceded 43. He picked up a wicket. Broad bowled 10 overs, including a maiden. He conceded 55, picking up a wicket.

England’s openers put on half-a-dozen. Ian Bell, who faced three balls, scored a run. An over into the chase, Rania ran him out.

The second fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. They scored 50 off 10.2 overs (65 balls). India had conceded three extras at that point.

The second-wicket pair put on 50 off 68 balls. While Prior’s contribution to the partnership was 15, Shah’s contribution to it was 31. Extras’ contribution to it was four.

Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. England had scored 75 for the loss of a wicket at that point. While Prior was batting on 31, Shah was batting on 39.

Shah’s half-century – which included seven boundaries and a six – came off 66 balls. England scored 100 off 22.4 overs (142 balls). England had conceded half-a-dozen extras at that point.

Shah, whose 78-ball innings included eight boundaries and a six, eventually scored 58. A hundred and thirty-three balls after Bell’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yuvraj, who broke the 96-run partnership.

Prior, whose 64-ball innings included four boundaries, eventually scored 38. Sixteen balls later, Yuvraj had a reason to be in seventh heaven.

The third fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 33^rd and the 37^th over. They scored 150 off 34 overs (211 balls). India had conceded nine extras at that point.

Thirty-five overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. England had scored 161 for the loss of three wickets at that point. While Pietersen was batting on 22, Flintoff was batting on 33.

The fourth-wicket pair put on 50 off 56 balls. While Pietersen’s contribution to the partnership was 17, Flintoff’s contribution to it was 33. Extras’ contribution to it was a couple.

Flintoff, whose 35-ball innings included four boundaries and three sixes, eventually scored 43. Sixty-nine balls after Prior’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yuvraj, who broke the 74-run partnership. Pietersen, whose 49-ball innings included three boundaries, eventually scored 33. Three balls later, Yuvraj broke the one-run stand.

Collingwood, who faced half-a-dozen balls, scored a couple. A dozen balls later, he was caught by Harbhajan, who broke the three-run stand. Ravi Bopara, who faced five balls, scored three. Eight balls later, he was caught by Raina. Pathan broke the four-run stand.

England scored 200 off 43.1 overs (268 balls). India had conceded 11 extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded.

Samit, whose 25-ball innings included a boundary and a six, scored 20. Twenty-one balls later, he was caught by Gambhir. Sehwag broke the 31-run stand. Although his innings included a boundary, Harmison had no reason to be in seventh heaven – he scored half-a-dozen. Ten balls later, he was stumped by Dhoni. Sehwag broke the 11-run stand.

Broad, whose 11-ball innings included three boundaries and a six, scored 22. Four balls later, Sehwag broke the five-run stand. Anderson, who faced a couple of balls, scored a run. England, who were dismissed for 238 off 47 overs, lost by 54 runs.

R P bowled five wicketless overs, conceding 49. Khan bowled eight wicketless overs, including a maiden. He conceded 37. Patel bowled seven wicketless overs, conceding 31.

Pathan bowled a couple of overs, conceding 18. He picked up a wicket, as did Harbhajan, who bowled 10 overs, conceding 45. Sehwag, who bowled five overs, conceded 28. He picked up three wickets. Yuvraj, who bowled 10 overs, conceded 28. He picked up four scalps.

India led the seven-match series 2-0.

Dhoni-led India crush the Englishmen

India made three changes to their playing eleven – Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan and Pragyan Ojha made way for Virender Sehwag, Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan Singh. England made three changes to the playing (Pat)eleven – Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Monty Panesar made way for Samit, Ravi Bopara and Steve Harmison.

On winning the toss, Pietersen, England’s skipper, (Kev)inserted the hosts, who scored 50 off 9.2 overs (59 balls). Extras’ contribution to the partnership was three. While Gautam Gambhir’s contribution to it was 29, Sehwag’s contribution to the partnership was 18.

The second fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 93 without the loss of a wicket at that point. While Gambhir was batting on 46, Sehwag was batting on 39.

India scored 100 off 16.2 overs (102 balls). England had conceded eight extras at that point. While Gambhir’s contribution to the partnership was 46, Sehwag’s contribution to it was 51. Sehwag’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries and a couple of sixes – came off 44 balls.

Gambhir’s half-century – which included eight boundaries – came off 59 balls. He faced 63 balls, eventually scoring 51. A hundred and nineteen balls into the match, he was caught by Owais Shah. Samit broke the 127-run partnership.

India scored 150 off 23.5 overs (147 balls). England had conceded a dozen extras at that point. Sehwag, whose 73-ball innings included 10 boundaries and three sixes, eventually scored 85. Twenty-five balls later, he was caught by Ian Bell. Samit broke the 26-run stand.

Thirty-one overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 191 for the loss of a couple of wickets at that point. While Suresh Raina was batting on 17, Yuvraj Singh, the player of the match, was batting on 24.

India scored 200 off 31.5 overs (197 balls). England had conceded 14 extras at that point. The third-wicket pair put on 50 off 52 balls. While Raina’s contribution to the partnership was 21, Yuvraj’s contribution to it was 27. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a couple.

The third fielding Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 35^th and the 39^th over. Yuvraj’s half-century – which included five boundaries and a couple of sixes – came off 42 balls.

Raina, whose 44-ball innings included three sixes, eventually scored 43. Seventy-seven balls after Sehwag’s dismissal, he was caught by Paul Collingwood. Andrew Flintoff broke the 89-run partnership. Yusuf, who faced a couple of balls, didn’t get off the mark. Four balls later, he was caught by Bell. Harmison broke the five-run stand.

India scored 250 off 37.5 overs (234 balls). England had conceded 15 extras at that point. They scored 300 off 43.3 overs (269 balls). England had conceded 16 extras at that point.

The fifth-wicket pair put on 50 off 37 balls. While Yuvraj’s contribution to the partnership was 26, the contribution of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper, to it was 27. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Yuvraj’s ton – which included 11 boundaries and four sixes – came off 64 balls. India scored 350 off 46.4 overs (290 balls). England had conceded 20 extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded.

The fifth-wicket pair put on 100 off 58 balls. While Yuvraj’s contribution to the partnership was 60, Dhoni’s contribution to it was 38. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was five.

Dhoni, whose 32-ball innings included three boundaries and a six, eventually scored 39. Fifty-eight balls after Yusuf’s dismissal, Harmison broke the 105-run partnership.

Yuvraj, whose 78-ball innings included 16 boundaries and half-a-dozen sixes, scored 138. He was unbeaten, as was Rohit Sharma, who scored 11. His eight-ball innings included a boundary. India scored 387 for the loss of five wickets off 50 overs.

Collingwood, who bowled a wicketless over, conceded 15. Pietersen, who bowled a couple of wicketless overs, conceded 16. James Anderson, who bowled eight wicketless overs, conceded 52. Stuart Broad, who bowled 10 wicketless overs, conceded 74.

Flintoff, who bowled 10 overs, conceded 67. He picked up a wicket. Samit, who bowled nine overs, conceded 78. He picked up a couple of scalps, as did Harmison, who bowled 10 overs, conceding 75.

Matt Prior, who faced nine balls, scored four. Twenty balls into the chase, he was caught by Sehwag. Munaf Patel broke the 12-run stand. Owais Shah, who faced five balls, didn’t get off the mark. Nine balls later, he was caught by Sehwag. Zaheer Khan broke the five-run stand.

The second fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Bell, whose 35-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 25. Thirty-four balls later, he was caught by Dhoni. Khan broke the 17-run stand.

Flintoff, who faced three balls, scored four. His runs came by way of a boundary. Three balls later, he was trapped leg be‘four’ wicket by Khan.

England scored 50 off 13.2 overs (81 balls). India had conceded a couple of extras at that point. Fifteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. England had scored 63 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Collingwood was batting on 17, Pietersen was batting on 10.

Collingwood, whose 23-ball innings included three boundaries, eventually scoreD(ho)nineteen. Forty balls after Flintoff’s dismissal, he was caught behind. R P Singh broke the 38-run stand.

England scored 100 off 20.5 overs (127 balls). India had conceded four extras at that point. Pietersen’s half-century – which included five boundaries and a couple of sixes – came off 46 balls.

The sixth-wicket pair put on 50 off 35 balls. While Pietersen’s contribution to the partnership was 30, Samit’s contribution to it was 20. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Samit, whose run-a-ball innings included a couple of sixes, eventually scored 28. Fiftyone balls after Collingwood’s dismissal, he was stumped by Dhoni. Harbhajan Singh broke the 71-run partnership.

England scored 150 off 26.5 overs (164 balls). India had conceded five extras at that point. The seventh-wicket pair put on three. Pietersen, whose 56-ball innings included seven boundaries and a couple of sixes, eventually scored 63. Half-a-dozen balls after Samit’s dismissal, Sharma and Dhoni ran him out.

Thirty-three overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. England had scored 173 for the loss of seven wickets at that point. While Bopara was batting on 11, Broad was batting on 14.

The third fielding Powerplay of England’s innings was between the 34^th and the 38^th over. Broad, whose 25-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, eventually scored 26. Fifty balls after Pietersen’s dismissal, he was caught by Gambhir. Sehwag broke the 45-run partnership.

England scored 200 off 35.4 overs (218 balls). India had conceded half-a-dozen extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded. Bopara’s half-century – which included a couple of boundaries and five sixes – came off 37 balls. He faced 38 balls, eventually sc0ring 54. He was unbeaten.

The ninth-wicket pair scored 12. Harmison D(hon)idn’t face a ball. Three balls after Broad’s dismissal, Harbhajan and the man from Ranchi ran him out. Anderson, who faced four balls, didn’t open his account. Ten balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Pathan, who broke the 22-run stand.

England, who were dismissed for 229 off 37.4 overs, lost by 158 runs. Pathan bowled 3.4 overs, conceding 41. He picked up a wicket. R P bowled four overs, conceding 25. He picked up a wicket.

Munaf bowled half-a-dozen overs, including a maiden. He conceded 20, picking up a wicket. Harbhajan bowled nine overs, conceding 47. He picked up a wicket. Sehwag bowled nine overs, conceding 68. He picked up a wicket. Khan bowled seven overs, including a maiden. He conceded 26, picking up three scalps.

India led the seven-match series 1-0.

Rain, Sri Lanka D(hon)isappoint India

India made three changes to theiR Playing eleven – Subramaniam Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar made way for Irfan Pathan, Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

Sri Lanka made three Cha(minda)nges to the eleven that (Mahe)last played the Indians – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Vaas and Muralitharan made way for Udawatte, Jehan Mubarak and Dilhara Fernando.

On winning the toss, Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s skipper, chose to bat. Sanath Jayasuriya, who faced eight balls, scored a run. Ten balls into the match, he was caught by Ojha. Khan broke the one-run stand.

The second Powerplay of Sri Lanka’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. They scored 50 off 13 overs (79 balls). India had conceded three extras at that point.

The second-wicket pair put on 50 off 69 balls. While the contribution of Malinda Warnapura, who never represented Sri Lanka in One-day Internationals again, to the partnership was 20, Udawatte’s contribution to it was 29. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was three.

The third Powerplay of Sri Lanka’s innings was between the 16^th and the 20^th over. Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. Sri Lanka had scored 71 for the loss of one wicket at that point. While Warnapura was batting on 26, Udawatte was batting on 40.

Warnapura, whose 44-ball innings included four boundaries, eventually scored 30. Ninety-four balls later, he was caught by Gautam Gambhir. Irfan Pathan broke the 77-run partnership.

Udawatte, whose 55-ball innings included half-a-dozen boundaries, eventually scored 43. Three balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Pathan, who broke the two-run stand. Kumar Sangakkara, who faced five balls, scored a run. Five balls later, he was caught by Gambhir. R P broke the two-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 100 off 25.5 overs (159 balls). India had conceded eight extras at that point. Jayawardene, who faced 25 balls, scored a dozen. Fifty-seven balls after Sangakkara’s dismissal, he was caught by Yuvraj Singh. Ojha broke the 22-run stand.

Thirty-one overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 110 for the loss of five wicket at that point. While Chamara Kapugedera was batting on 10, Mubarak was batting on four.

Kapugedera, whose 63-ball innings included a boundary, eventually scored 26. Fifty-three balls after Jayawardene’s dismissal, he was caught by Singh. Ojha broke the 29-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 150 off 41 overs (251 balls). India had conceded nine extras at that point.

The seventh-wicket pair put on 50 off 43 balls. While Mubarak’s contribution to the partnership was 16, Thilan Thushara’s contribution to it was 32. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was three.

Sri Lanka scored 200 off 46.1 overs (284 balls). India had conceded a dozen extras at that point. Thushara’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries – came off 42 balls. Mubarak, whose 55-ball innings included three boundaries, eventually scored 47. He was unbeaten, as was Thushara, who eventually scored 54 off 46 balls.

India eventually conceded 13 extras. Sri Lanka scored 227 for the loss of half-a-dozen wickets off 50 overs. Rohit Sharma, who bowled a couple of wicketless overs, had no reason to be in seventh heaven. Yuvraj, who bowled three wicketless overs, conceded 11. Munaf Patel bowled seven wicketless overs, including a maiden. He conceded 20.

R P, who bowled eight overs, conceded 54. He picked up a wicket, as did Khan, who bowled 10 overs, including a maiden. He conceded 49. Pathan and Ojha bowled 10 overs each, picking up a couple of scalps apiece. While the former conceded 52, the latter, whose spell included four maidens, conceded 28.

India's target was revised to 216 off 44 overs. Gambhir, whose 16-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, scored 11. Fifty-three balls into the chase, he was caught by Sangakkara. Nuwan Kulasekara, the player of the match, broke the 38-run stand.

The second Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Virat Kohli, whose 46-ball innings included three boundaries and the only six of the match, scored 31. Ten balls after Gambhir’s dismissal, Kulasekara had a reason to be in seventh heaven – he trapped him leg before wicket.

India scored 50 off 11 overs (67 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded four extras at that point. The second Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 15^th and the 17^th over.

Suresh Raina, whose 13-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, scored 10. Twenty-three balls after Kohli’s dismissal, he was caught by Fernando. Kulasekara broke the 25-run stand.

Eighty-six balls into the chase, rain interrupted the match, resulting in a wet ground. India had scored 70 for the loss of three wickets at that point. Yuvraj was batting on 13. Their target was revised to 216 off 44 overs.

Rohit, who faced five balls, scored three. Thirteen balls after Raina’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before wicket by Kulasekara, who broke the six-run stand. Yuvraj, whose 23-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, eventually scored 17. Ten balls later, he was (Men)dismissed by Ajantha, who broke the three-run stand.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who faced seven balls, scored just a run. Eight balls later, Fernando broke the six-run stand. Pathan, whose 15-ball innings included a boundary, had no reason to be in seventh heaven – 16 balls later, he was caught by Warnapura. Mendis broke the five-run stand.

Khan, who faced 10 balls, scored just three. Thirteen balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Mendis, who broke the one-run stand. R P, who faced 13 balls, scored four. Eight balls later, he was caught by Jayawardene. Fernando broke the four-run stand.

India scored 100 off 26.2 overs (162 balls). The number of extras they had conceded at that point gave Sri Lanka no reason to be in seventh heaven. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they finally conceded.

Ojha, whose nine-ball innings included a boundary, scored five. Five balls later, he was caught by Kulasekara. Mendis broke the eight-run stand. Patel, who faced a couple of balls, scored four. His runs came by way of a boundary. He was unbeaten.

India, who were bundled out for 103 off 26.3 overs, lost by 112 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. Thushara, who bowled half-a-dozen wicketless overs, conceded 26. Fernando bowled seven overs, including a maiden. He conceded 24, picking up a couple of scalps.

Mendis bowled 4.3 overs, including two maidens. He conceded 10, picking up four wickets. Kulasekara bowled nine overs, including two maidens. He conceded 40, picking up four scalps.

India won the five-match series 3-2.  

India win series; SL D(hon)isappointed

While India made no changes to their playing eleven, Sri Lanka made just Cha(mara)nge to their playing eleven – Silva made way for Malinda Warnapura (the nephew of Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka’s first Test skipper).

On winning the toss, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper, chose to bat. Gautam Gambhir, whose 21-ball innings included a boundary, scored 17. Fifty-nine balls into the match, he was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan. Nuwan Kulasekara broke the 44-run stand.

The second Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. India scored 50 off 11.4 overs (70 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded a couple of extras at that point.

Yuvraj Singh, who faced half-a-dozen balls, didn’t get off the mark. Fourteen balls after Gambhir’s dismissal, he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s skipper. Chaminda Vaas had a reason to be in seventh heaven – it was his 400^th wicket in One-day Internationals.

Fifteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 64 for the loss of a couple of wickets at that point. While Virat Kohli was batting on 41, Suresh Raina, the player of the match, was batting on four.

The third Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 16^th and the 20^th over. Kohli’s half-century – which included half-a-dozen boundaries – came off 62 balls. He eventually scored 54 off 66 balls, which included seven boundaries. Thirty-two balls later, Thilan Thushara broke the 30-run stand.

India scored 100 off 22.2 overs (134 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded a couple of extras at that point. The fourth-wicket pair put on 50 off 64 balls. While Raina’s contribution to the partnership was 27, Dhoni’s contribution to it was 22. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

India scored 150 off 30.5 overs (187 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded five extras at that point. Thirty-one overs into the match, the second drinks break was taken. India had scored 154 for the loss of three wickets at that point. While Raina was batting on 46, Dhoni was batting on 31.

Raina’s half-century – which included five boundaries – came off 56 balls. The fourth-wicket pair put on 100 off 108 balls. While Raina’s contribution to the partnership was 52, Dhoni’s contribution to it was 44. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was four.

Dhoni’s half-century – which included three boundaries – came off 60 balls. India scored 200 off 38 overs (231 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded nine extras at that point.

Raina, whose 78-ball innings included half-a-dozen boundaries and a six, eventually scored 76. A hundred and forty-one balls after Kohli’s dismissal, he was caught by Kulasekara. Thushara broke the 143-run partnership.

Dhoni, whose 80-ball included four boundaries, eventually scored 71. Ten balls later, he was caught by Jayasuriya. Thushara broke the eight-run stand.

Subramaniam Badrinath, who faced 11 balls, scored half-a-dozen. Seventeen balls later, he was caught by Jayawardene. Muralitharan broke the 11-run stand.

India scored 250 off 47.3 overs (290 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded 11 extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded. The seventh-wicket pair put on 10. Harbhajan Singh, who faced four balls, scored a couple. Fourteen balls later, Kulasekara and the offie (Muralitha)ran him out.

Rohit Sharma, who faced 23 balls, scored 18. Half-a-dozen balls later, he was caught by Warnapura. Ajantha Mendis broke the three-run stand.

Praveen Kumar, who faced half-a-dozen balls, scored just a couple. Two balls later, Thushara broke the one-run stand. Zaheer Khan, who faced a couple of balls, didn’t get off the mark. Three balls later, he was caught by Warnapura. Thushara broke the one-run stand. Munaf Patel, who faced a ball, scored a run. He was unbeaten.

India were dismissed for 258 off 49.4 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya, who bowled four wicketless overs, conceded 28. Vaas bowled nine overs, including a maiden. He conceded 40, picking up a wicket. Kulasekara, who bowled eight overs, conceded 38. He picked up a wicket.

Muralitharan and Mendis bowled 10 overs each, picking up a wicket apiece. While the former conceded 56, the latter, whose spell included a maiden, conceded 43. Thushara, who bowled 8.4 overs, conceded 47. He picked up five scalps.

Warnapura, who faced 18 balls, didn’t get off the mark. Thirty-nine balls into the chase, he was trapped leg before wicket by Patel.

The second Powerplay of Sri Lanka’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. Kumar Sangakkara, whose 16-ball innings included a boundary, scored just half-a-dozen. Twenty-seven balls later, Patel broke the 10-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 50 off 14.2 overs (89 balls). India had conceded three extras at that point. The third Powerplay of their innings was between the 16^th and the 20^th over.

Sixteen overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. Sri Lanka had scored 61 for the loss of a couple of wickets at that point. While Jayasuriya was batting on 49, Jayawardene was batting on three.

Jayasuriya’s half-century – which included eight boundaries and a six – came off 47 balls. He eventually scored 60 off 52 balls, which included the aforementioned number of boundaries and a couple of sixes. Thirty-nine balls later, he was caught by Raina. Harbhajan broke the 36-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 100 off 22.4 overs (140 balls). India had conceded eight extras at that point. The fourth-wicket pair put on 32. Jayawardene, who faced 40 balls, eventually scored 16. Thirty-nine balls later, Kohli and Harbhajan ran him out.

Dilshan, whose 22-ball innings included a boundary, scored a dozen. Thirty-four balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Harbhajan, who broke the 25-run stand. Chamara Kapugedera, whose 32-ball innings included a boundary, scored 30. Sixteen balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yuvraj, who broke the nine-run stand.

A hundred and ninety-four balls into the match, the second drinks break was taken. Sri Lanka had scored 140 for the loss of half-a-dozen wickets at that point. Although he was unbeaten, Vaas had no reason to be in seventh heaven.

Sri Lanka scored 150 off 35 overs (215 balls). India had conceded nine extras at that point. Vaas, whose 29-ball innings included a boundary, eventually scored 17. Twenty-five balls after Kapugedera’s dismissal, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yuvraj, who broke the 17-run stand.

Kulasekara, who faced 23 balls, scored 12. Twenty-eight balls later, he was stumped by Dhoni. Harbhajan broke the 23-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 200 off 42.4 overs (262 balls). India had conceded 14 extras at that point. The ninth-wicket pair put on 16. Mendis, who faced 11 balls, scored just a couple. Twenty balls later, Sharma and Khan ran him out.

Thushara, whose 29-ball innings included a couple of boundaries and as many sixes, scored 40. Twelve balls later, he was caught by Raina. Khan broke the six-run stand. Although he was unbeaten, Muralitharan had no reason to be in seventh heaven – he scored just a run.

India eventually conceded 16 extras. Sri Lanka, who were dismissed for 212 off 46.3 overs, lost by 46 runs. Kumar and Sharma bowled four wicketless overs apiece. While the former conceded 25, the latter, whose spell included a maiden, conceded 13.

Khan bowled 9.3 overs, including three maidens. He conceded 27, picking up a wicket. Patel, who bowled nine overs, conceded 48. He picked up a couple of wickets, as did Yuvraj, who bowled 10 overs, conceding 53. Harbhajan, who bowled 10 overs, conceded 40. He picked up three scalps.

India led the five-match series 3-1. In fact, they won the series with a match remaining.

Rain leaves India, SL D(hon)isheartened

Owing to rain, the fourth One-day International between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball bowled.

There was no toss. 

India were leading the five-match series 2-1 at that point.

The match was played on the reserve day (i.e., August 27, 2008).

India D(hon)isappoint Sri Lanka again

India made just one change to their playing eleven – Irfan Pathan made way for Gautam Gambhir. Sri Lanka made just one Cha(minda)nge to the eleven that last played the Indians – Dilhara Fernando made way for Vaas.

On winning the toss, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s skipper and the player of the match, chose to bat. Their openers put on 39. Virat Kohli, whose 38-ball innings included four boundaries, scored 25. Fifty-three balls into the match, Silva (Chama)ran him out.

Gambhir, who faced 20 balls, scored eight. Five balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Nuwan Kulasekara, who broke the one-run stand.

The second Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. They scored 50 off 11.3 overs (72 balls). The number of extras they had conceded at that point gave Sri Lanka no reason to be in seventh heaven.

The third Powerplay of India’s innings was between the 16^th and the 20^th over. Yuvraj Singh, whose 17-ball innings included a six, scored a dozen. Twenty-six balls after Gambhir’s dismissal, he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s skipper. Kulasekara broke the 22-run stand.

Subramaniam Badrinath, who faced 19 balls, scored half-a-dozen. Fifty-three balls later, he was caught by Vaas. Ajantha Mendis broke the 29-run stand.

India scored 100 off 26.1 overs (166 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded 13 extras at that point. Thirty-one overs into the match, the first drinks break was taken. India had scored 129 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Suresh Raina was batting on 42, Dhoni was batting on 22.

Raina’s half-century – which included four boundaries and a six – came off 75 balls. The fifth-wicket pair put on 50 off 65 balls. While Raina’s contribution to the partnership was 22, Dhoni’s contribution to it was 26. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a couple.

The fifth-wicket pair eventually put on 54. Raina, who faced 80 balls, eventually scored 53. Seventy-five balls after Badrinath’s dismissal, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar (Sangakka)ran him out.

India scored 150 off 35.5 overs (225 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded 14 extras at that point. Dhoni’s half-century – which included four boundaries – came off 64 balls. The sixth-wicket pair put on 50 off 55 balls. While Dhoni’s contribution to the partnership was 31, Rohit Sharma’s contribution to it was 21. Extras didn’t contribute to the partnership.

India scored 200 off 44.2 overs (276 balls). Sri Lanka had conceded 14 extras at that point. Sharma, whose run-a-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 32. Sixty-six balls after Raina’s dismissal, he was caught by Chamara Kapugedera. Thilan Thushara broke the 67-run partnership.

Harbhajan Singh, who faced half-a-dozen balls, scored just a couple. Fifteen balls later, he was caught by Sangakkara. Mendis broke the 17-run stand.

The eight-wicket pair D(hon)idn’t get off the mark. The man from Ranchi, whose 80-ball innings included eight boundaries, eventually scored 76. The (Jayawarde)next ball, he was caught by his opposite number off the bowling of Mendis.

Praveen Kumar, who faced three balls, scored a couple. He was unbeaten. Zaheer Khan, who faced half-a-dozen balls, scored just a run. Nine balls later, he was caught by Muttiah Muralitharan. Thushara broke the eight-run stand.

Sri Lanka eventually conceded 20 extras. India scored 237 for the loss of nine wickets off 50 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya, who bowled five wicketless overs, conceded 24. Muralitharan, who bowled nine wicketless overs, conceded 48. Vaas bowled 10 wicketless overs, including a couple of maidens. He conceded 33.

Kulasekara bowled seven overs, including a maiden. He conceded 32, picking up two wickets. Thushara bowled nine overs, including a maiden. He conceded 36, picking up a couple of wickets. Mendis, who bowled 10 overs, conceded 56. He picked up three scalps.

Jayasuriya, whose 15-ball innings included three boundaries, scored 13. Twenty-five balls into the match, he was caught by Dhoni. Kumar broke the 18-run stand. Sangakkara, who faced a dozen balls, scored nine. Khan had a reason to be in seventh heaven – he trapped him leg before wicket, breaking the eight-run stand.

Kapugedera, whose 17-ball innings included a boundary and a six, scored a dozen. Twenty balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Kumar, who broke the 11-run stand. Silva, who faced five balls, scored a run. Half-a-dozen balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Khan, who broke the three-run stand.

The second Powerplay of Sri Lanka’s innings was between the 11^th and the 15^th over. They scored 50 off 11 overs (68 balls). India had conceded a couple of extras at that point.

The third Powerplay of Sri Lanka’s innings was between the 16^th and the 20^th over. Sixteen overs into the chase, the first drinks break was taken. Sri Lanka had scored 58 for the loss of four wickets at that point. While Jayawardene was batting on five, Dilshan was batting on 16.

Dilshan, whose 21-ball innings included three boundaries, didn’t add to the aforementioned score. Forty-one balls later, he was caught by Dhoni. Munaf Patel broke the 18-run stand. Vaas, who faced four balls, didn’t get off the mark. Five balls later, Harbhajan broke the one-run stand.

Kulasekara, who faced 30 balls, scored 11. Fifty-seven balls later, he was trapped leg before wicket by Yuvraj, who broke the 35-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 100 off 30 overs (182 balls). India had conceded a couple of extras at that point. Thirty-three overs into the chase, the second drinks break was taken. Sri Lanka had scored 112 for the loss of seven wickets at that point. While Jayawardene was batting on 39, Thushara was batting on nine.

The eighth-wicket pair put on 50 off 71 balls. While Jayawardene’s contribution to the partnership was 33, Thushara’s contribution to it was 16. Extras’ contribution to the partnership was a run.

Sri Lanka scored 150 off 39.3 overs (240 balls). India had conceded three extras at that point. Thushara, whose 70-ball innings included a couple of boundaries, eventually scored 30. A hundred and two balls later, Khan broke the 81-run stand.

Jayawardene, whose 111-ball innings included half-a-dozen boundaries and a six, eventually scored 94. Eleven balls later, he was caught by Kumar. Patel broke the 17-run stand.

Sri Lanka scored 200 off 47.5 overs (291 balls). India had conceded half-a-dozen extras at that point. That was, incidentally, the number of extras they eventually conceded. Mendis, who scored half-a-dozen, was unbea‘ten’. Muralitharan, who faced 14 balls, scored half-a-dozen. Twenty balls later, Patel broke the 12-run stand.

Sri Lanka who were dismissed for 204 off 49 overs, lost by 33 runs. Sharma bowled a wicketless over, conceding nine. Yuvraj bowled eight overs, conceding 37. He picked up a wicket, as was Harbhajan, who bowled 10 overs, conceding 29.

Kumar bowled 10 overs, conceding 62. He picked up two wickets. Patel and Khan bowled 10 overs each, picking up three scalps apiece. While the former, whose spell included a maiden, conceded 42, the latter, whose spell included three maidens, conceded 23.

India led the five-match series 2-1.