The final Victory

Team India finally got their taste in victory in the 2nd ODI to level the series. This win kept their chances of claiming the trophy alive. However, it was not a easy victory for the tourists. They were hanging on the top with only 3 wickets left in chase of their victory of just 143. The bowlers were bang on target for the Indians and so were for the host.

MSD won the toss and chose to field first admitting to the fact that the top order lacked experience. At the end of the day, the result did prove that his instinct was right. The Indian bowler, Zaheer was bang on target the first ball on. He ripped through the top order like what the SPINNERS of SRILANKAN did to Indians in the Test. This left the host at 10 for 3. One wondered what UV was doing in the slip corridor when he took a juggling catch of Jayawardene from zaheer. however, Thushara and Kulasekara rescued Lankans for the 7th wicket with a 74 run stand to help their side to a descent total of 142. This still seemed a tough task for the Indians when they came on to bat.

The Indian reply was bit shakky from the start. It started with Irfan, the suprise opener.That suprise didnt stop the Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara from picking their wicket. However UV and Kohli were patient on their 36 run partnership. That brought India closer.

But the magic spinner removed UV leg before. Rohit Sharma had his hard luck with a wrong decision, was out for nought. This brought the duo of Dhoni and Badrinath together. they piled runs easily. They made 64 runs from 90 odd balls to rescue India. Another wicket before their stand would have bought another defeat but the cool captain maintained composure to win the 2nd ODI. Not to be forgotten, Badrinath played a handsome knock to guide India home with a 3 wicket haul.

The victory gave India something to cheer. but that fact that Indians have to manage those 20 overs of the spinner is a threat. Dhoni and Badrinath were comfortable. With Viru and Gauthi not playing the 2nd ODI it provided a problem. Gautham set to return in the next ODI shall be the factor for the Indians. Lets see that in near future.