India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI at Margao, , Feb 14 2007 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
3rd ODI, Margao, February 14, 2007, Sri Lanka tour of India
(46.3/50 ov, T:231) 233/5

India won by 5 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
5/42
zaheer-khan
New
IND
Full commentary

India were wobbling a touch at 94 for 4 on this two-paced track but Rahul Dravid and Mahendra Singh Dhoni stitched together 133 runs to steer India home. Goa is place to party and it will the hosts who will be enjoying the dinner on or near some lovely beach tonight.

Man of the Match: Zaheer Khan.

"Touch wood. Things have been good for me. County cricket has helped. Physio is taking good care of me and maintaining my rhythm." Zaheer shakes hand with the sponsors, sits on top of the prize bike to pose for the cameras.

We shall leave Zaheer with his new toy and take your leave. This is Sriram Veera, along with Jamie Alter, signing off. But don't go anywhere. Please join George Binoy for the last ODI between South Africa and Pakistan. SA lead 2-1.

46.3
4
Kulasekara to Karthik, FOUR runs

That's it. India level the series. Kartik seals the victory with a crisp straight drive. Low full toss and down came the bat, met the ball flush in the middle and it raced past the bowler, past the diving mid-on and into the advertising hoards. Handshakes all around. On the field and in the Indian dressing room.

46.2
Kulasekara to Karthik, no run

on the off and middle, full in length, comes in a touch, Kartik leans forward, defends.

46.1
1
Kulasekara to Dhoni, 1 run

full and on the legs, tickled to fine leg. Has handed it over to Kartik

3 to win. Mahela brings on Kulasekara. Dhoni on strike. Can he finish it off in one murderous blow? Deep fine leg and deep square leg are the only two men outside the ring.

end of over 461 run • 1 wicket
IND: 228/5CRR: 4.95 RRR: 0.75
Dinesh Karthik0 (4b)
MS Dhoni66 (73b 4x4)
Malinga Bandara 10-0-46-1
Sanath Jayasuriya 7-0-34-0
45.6
Bandara to Karthik, no run

on the off and middle, Kartik is no hurry, he just leans forward, dead-bats it. Head over the ball and all that jazz.

45.5
Bandara to Karthik, no run
45.4
Bandara to Karthik, no run

rapped on the pad. Sliding down leg stump and Kartik pushes out to defend

45.3
Bandara to Karthik, no run

beaten! lands outside off stump, turned away, Kartik goes for a cut and is beaten

45.2
1
Bandara to Dhoni, 1 run

driven to long off.

45.1
W
Bandara to Dhoni, OUT

Bandara does in Dravid with a clever bit of work. Dhoni smashed a fullish delivery, along the ground, back to Bandara who stretched his right hand out, angled his right palm and deflected it towards the sticks and Dravid is caught short of the crease. Dravid is furious with himself, bangs his bat into the ground and charges out of the arena, muttering to himself.

Rahul Dravid run out (Bandara) 66 (82b 4x4 1x6 109m) SR: 80.48
end of over 4510 runs
IND: 227/4CRR: 5.04 RRR: 0.80
Rahul Dravid66 (82b 4x4 1x6)
MS Dhoni65 (71b 4x4)
Sanath Jayasuriya 7-0-34-0
Dilhara Fernando 10-1-43-2
44.6
6
Jayasuriya to Dravid, SIX runs

Dravid erupts! Crowd go wild! Goa is having a party. Tossed up on the middle, Dravid waltzes down the track and sends it soaring over long on! Wow! It was the first six of the run chase

44.5
1
Jayasuriya to Dhoni, 1 run

sliding on the legs, Dhoni eases it towards short fineleg

44.4
Jayasuriya to Dhoni, no run

on the off stump line, slight turn away, Dhoni eases back, pushes it out to cover region

44.3
1
Jayasuriya to Dravid, 1 run

floated on the off stump line, Dravid leans forward, drives to mid-off and they run with the stroke

44.2
1
Jayasuriya to Dhoni, 1 run

another arm-ball on the middle, Dhoni sways towards legstump and cross-bats it to long on.

44.1
1
Jayasuriya to Dravid, 1 run

arm-ball on the middle stump but the length is slightly short. Allows Dravid to go back, move towards legstump and thump it to long off.

Just 14 to win. 36 balls left.

end of over 4414 runs
IND: 217/4CRR: 4.93 RRR: 2.33
Rahul Dravid58 (79b 4x4)
MS Dhoni63 (68b 4x4)
Dilhara Fernando 10-1-43-2
Malinga Bandara 9-0-45-1
43.6
1
Fernando to Dravid, 1 run

low full toss, outside off, driven to deep point. Will retain the strike.

43.5
Fernando to Dravid, no run

huge shout for lbw. Got a inside-edge. A screaming inswinging yorker on middle and leg, Dravid takes out his left leg from the line, down comes the bat outside the line, the ball takes the edge and rams into the pad. They go up in appeal , shake of head from Umpire Taufel

43.4
1
Fernando to Dhoni, 1 run

outside off, short in length, cut to deep point for a single.

43.4
5w
Fernando to Dhoni, 5 wide

Oho! Here comes a wide. Expensive. Sangakkara can't get to it, it brushes his gloves and runs away. Mahela looks pretty disappointed at the delivery.

DHONI! DHONI! chant the crowd

43.3
2
Fernando to Dhoni, 2 runs

full-pitched on the off stump, drilled to mid-off. The shy misses the sticks and they turn back for an overthrow.