SL vs IND 2nd ODI: Bhuvi-Dhoni cruise India to 3 wicket win

Kandy: A phenomenal spell by spinner Akila Dananjaya (6/52) went in vain as MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 100 runs for the eighth wicket to cruise India to three-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Coming in to chase a decent target of 231 runs in 47 overs (D/L method), India got off to a great start. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan added 109 runs for the first wicket, with the former scoring 54 runs off 45 balls hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes, while the latter adding 49 runs off 50 balls and smashing 6 fours and a six.

As Rohit departed, soon Indian batting collapsed and were reduced to 131/7 in 21.5 overs. The reason behind the shocking collapse was a determined spell by Dananjaya who ripped through the Indian top order singlehandedly by getting six wickets. He was also awarded the man of the match award for his tremendous performance.

The only other wicket-taker for Sri Lanka was Milinda Siriwardana who sent Dhawan back to the pavilion.

Kedar Jadhav, who was promoted up in the order today, went back after scoring just 1 run off 3 balls while skipper Virat Kohli (4 off 2), Lokesh Rahul (4 off 6), Hardik Pandya (0 off 3) and Axar Patel (6 off 9) could not create much difference.

It was a very calm and composed MS Dhoni who let Bhuvneshwar Kumar settle down at the crease comfortably and scoring his maiden ODI fifty. Kumar remained unbeaten at 53 runs off 80 balls with 4 fours and a six, while Dhoni remained not out at 45 runs off 68 deliveries.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, the hosting Lankan side put up 237-run target for India.

The heroics of Siriwardana and Kapugedra helped Sri Lanka reach a decent total. Siriwardana hit two fours and a six in his 58-run knock. Kapugedra also produced valuable 40 off 61 balls with two fours.

After being to put to bat, Lankans got a sedate start. But things yet again continued to go worse when opener Danushka Gunathilaka fell prey of MS Dhoni’s 99th stumpting.

Dhoni equalled his number of stumpings with former Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.

Also Read: SL vs Ind, 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka sets 237-run target for India

Later, Sri Lanka faced few quick blows in the form of Kusal Mendis (19), skipper Upul Tharanga (9) and Niroshan Dickwella (31). SL captain once again failed to live up to the expectations.

Angelo Mathews, who had made himself set at 20, was given leg before wicket to Axar Patel. In the lights of Siriwardana and Kapugedra, SL extended its total to a respectable one.

In a bid to clear the ropes, Siriwardena was caught to extra cover by Rohit Sharma. While, Kapugedra was bowled out by Bumrah’s rip-roaring yorker into the blockhole.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker with bowling figures of 4/43. Yuzvendra Chahal picked two while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel claimed one- wicket each.

With this victory, India has maintained a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Both the teams would now see each other on August 27 at the same ground.