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Gambhir, Kohli win series for India
Source: Agencies |
December 26, 2009, Saturday
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GAUTAM Gambhir and Virat Kohli struck a century each to guide India to a seven-wicket victory in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on Thursday.
The victory clinched the series for the hosts who now hold a 3-1 lead in the five-match tournament.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, reaching 315-6 but could not hold off India's pursuit of the target. The hosts eventually reached 317-3 in 48.1 overs.
India was forced to fight off an early onslaught when openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were dismissed with just 23 runs on the board but Gambhir and Kohli rebuilt the innings with a 224-run partnership for the third wicket.
"It is a great victory, especially ahead of 2011 World Cup," said India captain Sehwag, standing in for the suspended Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "It is a great experience for the young stars before the World Cup."
Gambhir finished the match on 150 not out, a knock that included 14 boundaries, and Kohli scored 107 with 11 fours and a six.
"I have played many ODIs. But this was very satisfying as I could finish the match," Gambhir said.
It was the highest run chase in a one-day international at Eden Gardens.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga scored 118 and Kumar Sangakkara 60 as Sri Lanka set the hosts the imposing target of 316 runs in its 50 overs.
Mahela Jayawardene and Thissara Perera also chipped in with 33 and 31 runs, respectively.
The hosts struck early when Ashish Nehra removed opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for nine as he went for a big hit and was caught by Kohli.
Sanath Jayasuriya was also dismissed cheaply, for just 15, when he was caught by Tendulkar off Zaheer Khan, before Sangakkara came in to steady the ship.
Together with Tharanga, Sri Lanka's captain put on 126 for the third wicket before Sangakkara was stumped by Dinesh Karthik off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.
Tharanga was finally bowled by Khan in the 43rd over after smashing 14 boundaries and two sixes.
"We had so many debutants on our tour and some of them have really stepped up and that promises better things on future tours," Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara said. "This is the most competitive we have been in the one-day arena since I debuted."
Play was held up for 26 minutes when the floodlights failed with just four balls remaining of Sri Lanka's innings.
The final match will be played in New Delhi tomorrow.
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