Maharoof ’tricks India to their doom

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Sri Lanka experimented with their composition by resting four first choice players, challenged the conditions by electing to chase under the lights and were able to come out on top in the final league game of the Asia Cup here on Tuesday.

Farveez Maharoof blunted India with a timely hat-trick as the visitors were bowled out for 209 in 42.3 overs. The easily attainable target was then knocked off by the hosts in 37.3 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Kumar Sangakkara, with his decision to bowl first, threw his side into the deep end. The response from his colleagues was a clinical all-round effort. In search of quick wickets, India came a cropper.
Ashok Dinda and Pragyan Ojha who came in for Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh did not impress. A left-arm spinner replacing an off spinner with the opposing top-order having two left-handers defied logic.
Praveen Kumar started with a maiden. Tillakaratne Dilshan was savage on Zaheer Khan, collecting 15 in the second over. Dilshan rode his luck before finding Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket.
Upul Tharanga after a flurry of neat drives was snapped up by M.S. Dhoni off Zaheer. The quickfire start ended the contest.
The experienced pair of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene approached the task resourcefully. Runs were gathered with ease. With the goal in sight Sangakkara holed out to Zaheer off Praveen. That was the last success India enjoyed as Sri Lanka finished with a bonus point.
Earlier, the Indian top-order, given the allowance of batting first on this friendly track, blew the opportunity to prepare well for the final.
Maharoof’s sensational burst and Sri Lanka’s exceptional athleticism kept India at bay. The medium pacer became the fourth bowler to record a ODI hat-trick against India.
Dinesh Karthik and Gautam Gambhir put the innings on course with a purposeful 58-run stand for the first wicket before an act of brilliance at square leg by Suraj Randiv, cut short Gambhir’s innings. Karthik excelled with a few leg glances, and full credit to the youngster for adjusting quickly.