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Last Updated: Sunday, 11 February 2007, 11:56 GMT
Sangakkara inspires Sri Lanka win
One-day international, Rajkot: Sri Lanka 257-8 (50 ovs) bt India 252-9 (50 ovs) by 5 runs

Sangakkara hit his sixth one-day century
A century from Kumar Sangakkara guided Sri Lanka to a memorable five-run victory against India in the second one-day international in Rajkot.

Put in, the tourists struggled to 55-3 before Sangakkara put on 108 in 22 overs with Tillakaratne Dilshan (56).

He struck 11 fours and four sixes to inspire a total of 257-8.

Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar put on 100 to lead India towards victory but 11 were needed from the final over and two wickets fell.

Sri Lanka made one change to the side that endured a washed-out opener in Calcutta on Thursday, including Nuwan Kulasekara in place of fellow fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa.

The home side started well when Munaf Patel had the experienced Sanath Jayasuriya caught behind for nine and trapped Marvan Atapattu leg before for 15.

India's experienced batting duo put their team back on track

Meanwhile Sreesanth had both opener Upul Tharanga and skipper Mahela Jayawardene edging catches in the close cordon.

Sangakkara and Dilshan rebuilt the innings, cashing in on the absence of a third seamer after shoulder trouble forced Zaheer Khan to be sidelined

He joined fellow pacemen Irfan Pathan (shoulder), Ajit Agarkar (fever) and batsman Yuvraj Singh (back) on the injury list.

Sangakkara's first four scoring shots were boundaries, and he and Dilshan both hit leg-spinner Anil Kumble for fours to complete fifties as they looked set for a big total.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh eventually bowled Dilshan with a 'doosra' delivery to end the partnership.

Sachin's dismissal was the turning point

Mahela Jayawardene

On 91, Sangakkara saw Patel drop a straightforward return catch, but went on to complete his hundred.

India's reply started badly when Robin Uthappa and skipper Rahul Dravid departed within the opening four overs.

Tendulkar and Ganguly appeared to have put their side on course for victory but both were dismissed within four overs.

India needed 24 from the final 30 balls with five wickets intact, but Dinesh Karthik was yorked for 31.

Jayawardene then took a stunning catch running back towards third man to oust Harbhajan Singh in the 48th over and 14 were needed from the final 12 balls.

Unusually Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not hit his first boundary until the 67th ball he faced, but then next ball, the penultimate delivery of the match, he sliced to deep cover where Farveez Maharoof took another spectacular running catch.

Jayawardene was delighted his team prevailed in a tense finale.

""It was a brilliant game and Sachin's [Tendulkar] dismissal was the turning point,"" he said. ""A couple of quick wickets and good fielding at the end won the match.""



SEE ALSO
Sehwag back for Sri Lanka series
03 Feb 07 |  Cricket
Star bowlers rested by Sri Lanka
17 Jan 07 |  Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka in India 2007
12 Nov 06 |  Future tour dates


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