At Dambulla, July 31, 2005 (day/night). India won by six wickets. India 6 pts. Toss: West Indies.
One-day international debuts: N. Deonarine, D. Ramdin.
West Indies never recovered after losing the top half of their order for 85 by the 32nd over,
and India overhauled the modest target so comfortably that they earned a bonus point. They might
have been pressed harder but for fielding errors. Suresh Raina, who had been out first ball on his
debut the day before, was dropped third ball this time, and again on 27; then Dravid was well
short of his ground as he sprinted the first of his 52 runs, only for Smith's throw to squeeze past
the stumps. West Indies' problems were typified by Chanderpaul's struggles in scoring 22 from
53 balls, without a boundary. Smith lashed 20 off seven balls with two huge sixes, but was undone
by his second ball from Harbhajan, a doosra. India faltered briefly at 82 for three, but then Dravid
and Yuvraj added 61. Dhoni, himself dropped twice, ended the match with a six off Lawson.
Man of the Match: R. Dravid.