By Ashish Shukla

Adelaide: Feb 14, 2012

Indian bowlers stifled Sri Lanka's batting in the death overs to restrict the islanders to a modest 236 for nine in their tri-series one-day cricket match.

The Lankans, cruising at 168 for three in the 35th over, completely lost the plot by losing wickets in a clutch and raising a rather inadequate total against a powerful Indian line-up.

Medium-pacer Vinay Kumar (3 for 46) and off-spinner R Ashwin (2 for 30) were most impressive though Irfan Pathan (1 for 38), in his first match of the series, looked the part as well.

Young Dinesh Chandimal (81 off 91 balls) had perfectly anchored the innings and shared important stands of 51 and 94 with batting heavyweights Kumar Sangakkara (31) and Mahela Jayawardene (43) respectively before the Lankans lost wickets against the run of play.

The batting powerplay, claimed in the 36th over, turned the game on its head as only 18 runs accrued from five overs and three wickets were lost. 

Much hope was pinned on Angelo Matthews (17) to strike late blows but he departed in the 47th over, running for the non-striker's end when the ball had been nestling in the gloves of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Matthews was earlier guilty of running out Chandimal by calling him for a single after pushing straight into the hands of short-cover fielder.

Chandimal, till he was around, appeared Sri Lanka's saviour, who were stuttering after the loss of openers Upul Tharanga (0) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (16) at 28 for 2 in the eighth over.

Chandimal, who has a penchant for Indian bowling as his two previous innings against the major neighbours were worth 111 and 64 runs, was into his stride early and picked up gaps at will to quell the Indian attack.

The right-hander maneuvered the ball with deft hands and didn't allow the departures of his batting partners to affect his style or concentration.

The sparse crowd had barely settled themselves in their seat when Upul Tharanga (0) left to a catch behind the wicket off Vinay Kumar. His partner Dilshan struggled to get the timing right and fell to Pathan after making 16 off 23 balls with a four and a six.

Chandimal then stabilised the innings in company of Sangakkara, first by seeing off a disciplined Vinay and Pathan and later when spin was introduced in the form of Ashwin in the 16th over.

Sangakkara had laid the base for a long innings when uncharacteristically, he tried to heave Ashwin out of the ground and could only lift it for Gautam Gambhir at point.

Sangakkara made 31 off 56 balls with two fours.

The innings then had its best stand of 94 between Chandimal and skipper Jayawardene. The two were in no trouble at all and were nicely poised when the batting powerplay was taken at 168 for 3 after the 35th over.

It proved to be a disastrous spell for the Lankans as they lost three wickets in the next five overs, including Chandimal and Jayawardene.

Jayawardene left first, trying to flick Vinay Kumar on the onside and missing a delivery headed onto his middle stumps.

New man Angelo Matthews then pushed a delivery straight to short covers and called Chandimal for a non-existent single. Chandimal's bat was still on the line when Dhoni broke the stumps.

Jayawardene made 43 off 49 balls with two fours and Chandimal's 81 accrued off 91 balls with six fours and a six.

The batting powerplay was still not through when Thisara Perera (5) went for a mindless heave and lofted a catch for the long-on fielder.(PTI)

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 236 for 9 in 50 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 81, Mahela Jayawardene 43, Kumar Sangakkara 31; R Vinay Kumar 3 for 46,  R Ashwin 2 for 30) vs India.

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