Gambhir and Dhoni make merry against favourite opponents

Stats highlights from the second ODI of the CB Series, between India and Sri Lanka at the Gabba

Feb 5, 2008, 11:46 AM

Stats highlights from the second ODI of the CB Series, between India and Sri Lanka at the Gabba.

Gautam Gambhir: two hundreds in three ODIs against Sri Lanka © Getty Images

The 184-run partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni is India's second-highest for the fifth wicket - Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja had added 223, also against Sri Lanka, in Colombo in 1997. It's the highest fifth-wicket stand at the Gabba, and the fourth-highest for all wickets. It's also the best by an overseas side.

Gambhir's unbeaten 102 is his third century in ODIs - his three ODI hundreds now read 101, 102* and 103. It was also his second century in three games versus Sri Lanka, against whom he averages 116.50.

Dhoni's unbeaten 88 is his fourth 50-plus score in 12 innings versus Sri Lanka, against whom he averages 72.25, at a superb strike-rate of 100.87. It is also his highest score as captain.

When Sachin Tendulkar made 28, he became the first batsman to get to 16,000 ODI runs. Tendulkar ODI tally now stands at 16,007, which is 3800 more than the second-placed Sanath Jayasuriya's aggregate. Tendulkar has now scored exactly 2471 runs against both Australia and Sri Lanka, which is a record for a player against a specific opposition team.

Tendulkar was bowled for the 61st time in ODIs, which is only two short of Steve Waugh's record of 63. Only seven batsmen have been bowled more than 50 times in ODIs.

Chaminda Vaas leaked 72 runs in his ten overs, which is the second-highest number of runs he has conceded against India. In the 1999 World Cup game against India he gave away 84, but he at least had one wicket to show for his efforts then. Against all teams, this is the fourth-highest number of runs he has conceded.

After a superb start, Muralitharan faded away too, conceding 51 runs from his ten overs. Only twice has he given away more runs in an ODI against India. The two wickets lifted his tally to 60 dismissals against India. Only Vaas, with 65, has taken more wickets against them.

This is the tenth occasion that India and Sri Lanka have been involved in a washed-out ODI, which is a record. The two teams have played twice in Australia, and both games have ended without a decisive result. Sri Lanka have been involved in 21 washouts, and almost half of them have been against the Indians.

India's next match in the tournament, against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday, will be their 675th ODI, the most by any team. India and Pakistan are currently tied on 674, with Australia third on 670.

Chaminda Vaas Sachin Tendulkar MS Dhoni Muthiah Muralidaran Gautam Gambhir India Sri Lanka India vs Sri Lanka Commonwealth Bank Series