Colombo: Sri Lanka would have been happy at the half-way stage after posting a total of 286 runs as they have never lost a match after scoring 250 runs or more in Sri Lanka from more than a decade. But, a brilliant run-a-ball hundred from Gautam Gambhir and an explosive innings by Suresh Raina ensured that India take the lead in the five match series.

Mahela Jayawardene in the post match presentation ceremony said that they played a good match, but India was a better team on the day. He also said that dropping Raina and some wayward bowling did not help their cause.

“We leaked far too many runs in the opening overs but managed to make a comeback into the match in the batting power-play. We dropped Suresh Raina at a crucial juncture and that proved decisive in the end also our death over bowling was poor”, said Jayawardene.

Raina was dropped when he was on 19 by Sachithra Senanayake, who was on the field for the injured Kumar Sangakkara. Raina went on to score a match winning 65.
On Sangakkara’s injury, Jayawardene said, “He will get a well deserved rest as he has been playing from a long time. It will give an opportunity to a youngster.”

Indian Sports News Network