India dismiss Sri Lanka cheaply for 179

AFP  Tuesday, February 26, 2008  08:37 IST

HOBART: A spectacular middle-order collapse against India here on Tuesday was a major blow to Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching the tri-series finals.  

The Sri Lankans needed to win the match to have a chance of reaching the finals, but made just 179 from 47.1 overs after being sent in to bat by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had some overdue luck at the toss.  

Sri Lanka appeared to be cruising towards a big total at 72 for one, with veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya back in some touch and Kumar Sangakkara continuing his good form.  

However, Sangakkara's dismissal for 33, caught behind by Dhoni from the bowling of the recalled Praveen Kumar, sparked a destructive collapse.  

Sri Lanka lost 6-21 in just over 11 overs to slump to 93 for seven.  

Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma did most of the damage, claiming four wickets apiece.  

Sharma again impressed with 4-41, while Kumar, playing just his second game of the series, grabbed 4-31.  

The teenage Sharma has 13 wickets in the tri-series at 19.46.  

Sangakkara was quickly followed back to the pavilion by captain Mahela Jayawardene, caught by Rohit Sharma from the bowling of Kumar for just three.  

With the skipper gone, the innings quickly fell apart.  

Chamara Silva's struggles continued when he fell for a duck and Jayasuriya then threw his wicket away when he top edged an attempted pull from the bowling of Irfan Pathan on 34.  

Tillakaratne Dilshan made just eight and Chaminda Vaas played a poor shot to fall to Sharma for a duck.  

It was then left to Chamara Kapugedera and tail-ender Lasith Malinga to add some respectability to the innings, the pair putting on 46 before the latter became Sharma's fourth victim.  

Kapugedera showed rare fight late in the innings, making a stylish 57.

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