Indian
cricketers celebrate their victory over Sri Lanka during the sixth
match of the Tri-Nation series between India and Sri Lanka at the
Queen's Park Oval stadium in Port of Spain.
India cruised into the final of the Tri-nation ODI series with a crushing 81-run victory over Sri Lanka in yet another rain-hit game here, relying on young Bhuvneshwar Kumar's devastating exhibition of swing bowling.
The 22-year-old Kumar produced a dream career-best figures of 4/8 in six overs as the Indians bundled out Sri Lankan for 96 in 24.4 overs in their pursuit of 178 in stipulated 26 overs to set up a title clash against the same opponents on Thursday.
The Indians were 119 for three in 29 overs when the rains intervened with Rohit Sharma top-scoring with an unbeaten 48.
The rain interruption reduced the match to 29 overs and Sri Lanka were set a target of 178. But the Indians bowled brilliantly to achieve the victory under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
It was a commendable performance by the Indians whose tri-series campaign lay in tatters at one stage having lost both their first leg matches. But two big wins with bonus points have now put the Champions Trophy winners on course for yet another title.
The Indian victory means the hosts West Indies are knocked out of the tournament. India topped the table with 10 points.
Put into bat, Sharma was going steady when rain halted proceedings. Courtesy the D-L method, Sri Lanka's target swelled up.
For India, the magic figure was 167 under which they had to restrict the islanders in order to make it to the summit clash.
Kumar's knack of picking up early wickets reaped dividends as he rocked the opposition removing Upul Tharanga (6) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) off successive deliveries.
Tharanga got one that shaped away after pitching as he edged one to Suresh Raina stationed at wide second slip.
Sangakkara got a raw deal as he was adjudged leg before to a delivery that seemed to be going well above the stumps.
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