India v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Cuttack
Cricinfo staff
21-Dec-2009
The dismissal of Tillakaratne Dilshan brought an end to the early Sri Lankan onslaught. Having smashed 41 off 18 balls, Dilshan ensured Sri Lanka were off to a blistering start with 65 by the seventh over. But a top edge off Ashish Nehra restored the clam at the right time for India.
Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga seemed to have Sri Lanka on course for a big score. But after a 100-run partnership for the second wicket, it was Sangakkara's opposite number Virender Sehwag who got the better of him, getting him stumped short of his fifty. And then the Sri Lankan slide followed.
The sixth over of the Indian reply sent down by Lasith Malinga went for 16 runs as Sehwag played like a man possessed. Three fours off the first, fourth and fifth balls got the hosts going and with 43 from no loss they never looked back while overhauling the target of 240.