India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2008, Final
Date: 06 Jul 2008
Catches: 2 / Stumpings: 0
Batting: 49 runs (74 balls), 4s: 4/ 6s: 0
India had the upper hand at the beginning of both the innings, but brilliant performances from Sanath Jayasuriya and Ajantha Mendis sealed a comprehensive victory for the Sri Lankans. The Sri Lankans were 66 for 4 after put in to bat, but were rescued by a 131 run partnership between Jayasuriya and Dilshan. Jayasuriya’s brilliant 125 took only 114 deliveries and helped the Lankans to put up a decent total of 273.
Sehwag’s stroke play indicated that 273 were not going to be enough. But, it lasted only until the 9th over when Ajantha Mendis was introduced into the attack as a gamble to restrict the scoring and take wickets. At that stage, India was well placed at 76 for the loss of Gautam Gambhir. Mendis was certainly the talk of the town before the match. But, his performance turned out to be a magical one, might be one of the best bowling performances in ODI history.
Mendis accounted for Sehwag in his second delivery of the innings and the Indians surrendered to him without any resistance whatsoever. The exception being Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who compiled a cool and responsible 49. At the end of the day, Mendis’ figures read 8-1-13-6. Unbelievable!
The Indians need not worry too much about the result in the finals. They did perform extremely well in the series. They were surprised by a rare bowling talent in the finals. But, Dhoni and his boys have come together well in this series. The bowling department needs some strengthening; probably the return of Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh might help.
Result: 273 all out in 49.5 overs(Jayasuriya 125, Dilshan 56, Ishant Sharma 3 for 52, RP Singh 3 for 67) beat India 173 all out in 39.3 overs(Sehwag 60, Dhoni 49, Mendis 6 for 13) by 100 runs.
Sri Lanka has won the Asia Cup 2008.
Man of the match & Man of the Series: Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Date: 06 Jul 2008
Catches: 2 / Stumpings: 0
Batting: 49 runs (74 balls), 4s: 4/ 6s: 0
India had the upper hand at the beginning of both the innings, but brilliant performances from Sanath Jayasuriya and Ajantha Mendis sealed a comprehensive victory for the Sri Lankans. The Sri Lankans were 66 for 4 after put in to bat, but were rescued by a 131 run partnership between Jayasuriya and Dilshan. Jayasuriya’s brilliant 125 took only 114 deliveries and helped the Lankans to put up a decent total of 273.
Sehwag’s stroke play indicated that 273 were not going to be enough. But, it lasted only until the 9th over when Ajantha Mendis was introduced into the attack as a gamble to restrict the scoring and take wickets. At that stage, India was well placed at 76 for the loss of Gautam Gambhir. Mendis was certainly the talk of the town before the match. But, his performance turned out to be a magical one, might be one of the best bowling performances in ODI history.
Mendis accounted for Sehwag in his second delivery of the innings and the Indians surrendered to him without any resistance whatsoever. The exception being Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who compiled a cool and responsible 49. At the end of the day, Mendis’ figures read 8-1-13-6. Unbelievable!
The Indians need not worry too much about the result in the finals. They did perform extremely well in the series. They were surprised by a rare bowling talent in the finals. But, Dhoni and his boys have come together well in this series. The bowling department needs some strengthening; probably the return of Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh might help.
Result: 273 all out in 49.5 overs(Jayasuriya 125, Dilshan 56, Ishant Sharma 3 for 52, RP Singh 3 for 67) beat India 173 all out in 39.3 overs(Sehwag 60, Dhoni 49, Mendis 6 for 13) by 100 runs.
Sri Lanka has won the Asia Cup 2008.
Man of the match & Man of the Series: Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
ya, they could not pick mendis spin, i mean which way the ball would spin as they had not played him before, and he has an awkward action
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment friend. Yes, as Dhoni himself has admitted, the Indians had no clue. The Sri Lankans ploy of holding Mendis until the final has worked. (Of course, if they have played him in the league, may be India would not have played the final).
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