India and Sri Lanka played each other in a five -match ODI series in late 2009. The very first game of the series was played at the old Rajkot stadium which produced staggering 825 runs for the loss of 15 wickets. In the end India kept their nerves to win the game by small margin of 3 runs.
Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and put India into bat. Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag blazed off to a quick start with the team reaching its fifty in just 8.3 overs. Virender Sehwag reached his half-century from a mere 34 balls with the help of 8 fours and 2 sixes as the visitors looked clueless.
India’s hundred came in 14.3 overs with the 2nd fifty taking just 36 balls. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was more sedate as he reached his fifty off 48 balls with the help of 9 hits to the fence. The opening pair added 153 runs for the first wicket before Tendulkar was bowled out for 69 by Dilhara Fernando. Tendulkar’s knock came off 63 balls with 10 fours and a six.
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Dilshan and Sehwag show ensures classic finish in Rajkot
The fall of Sachin Tendulkar brought skipper MS Dhoni to bat number 3. Sehwag and Dhoni then added 156 runs for the 2nd wicket in just 16 overs. The stand was broken when Sehwag was out for 146 runs from 102 balls with 17 fours and 6 huge hits.
Suresh Raina scored 16 runs while Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh batting lower down the order scored 11 each. Virat Kohli batting at 7 scored 27 off 19 balls while local boy Ravindra Jadeja was not out on 30 off 16 balls with one four and 2 sixes as India finished on 414/7 from their 50 overs.
Chasing 415 to win, Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and T Dilshan began scoring runs at quick pace to put India under pressure. Sri Lanka scored their 100 in just 12 overs. Just like India, the visiting side saw their openers add 188 runs for the 1st wicket. Upul Tharanga scored 67 runs from 60 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes before he was dismissed by Suresh Raina.
Dilshan and Sangakkara then added 128 runs for the 2nd wicket as Sangakkara was out for 90. Dilshan was the best batter for Sri Lanka with 160 runs off 124 balls with 20 fours and 3 sixes, In the end, India won the game by 3 runs with Ashish Nehra bowling a terrific last over.
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