Jadeja leads way with ball
Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lankan Rangana Herath in the final—AFP
Ravindra Jadeja took 4/23 including three wickets in 11 deliveries as Sri Lanka crashed to 201 in the final of the tri-series against India on Thursday.
Jadeja received good support from fellow spinner R. Ashwin after Bhuvaneshwar Kumar had rocked Sri Lanka with two early strikes.
India’s bowlers maintained pressure all the way through, Ashwin finishing with 2/42, Ishant Sharma with 2/45 and Bhuvaneshwar with 2/24.
Kumar Sangakkara steadied Sri Lanka with a well composed 71 off 100 balls after Bhuvneshwar’s double strike at the Queen’s Park Oval. Sri Lanka, who recovered from 49/2, were 184/6 in 43 overs.
The 122-run partnership for the third wicket between Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne (46) came to an end when Ishant accounted for the latter in the 38th over.
Ashwin then dismissed Sangakkara to make it 174/4 in the 40th overs. Trying to loft a flighted delivery, Sangakkara holed out at mid-on.
Earlier, Bhuvneshwar continued his roaring form with the ball by dismissing both openers cheaply. He got his first wicket when he dismissed Upul Tharanga and then picked up the prized scalp of Mahela Jayawardene, who was playing in his 400th one-day international. Tharanga was caught behind by M.S. Dhoni.
Returning India captain Dhoni won the toss and put Lanka in.
Having recovered from a hamstring injury that initially appeared to have ruled him out of the rest of the tournament, India's inspirational leader was back for the final with M. Vijay making way for him from the last preliminary match against the same opponents on Tuesday.
Vinay Kumar replaced Umesh Yadav in a switch of fast-medium bowlers as the only other change to the Indian XI.
Sri Lanka, who were trounced by 81 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis Method two days before, made two changes.
Kusal Perera came in for Jeevan Mendis while seamer Suranga Lakmal played at the expense of Dilhara Lokuhettige, who failed to impress in the loss to India that allowed the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders to get into the final at the expense of hosts West Indies.
Scores: Sri Lanka 201 in 48.5 overs (K. Sangakkara 71, L. Thirimanne 46, M. Jayawardene 22; R. Jadeja 4/23, B. Kumar 2/24, I. Sharma 2/45) vs India
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