Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth ODI against India played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday.
A superb catch by Virat Kohli brought the end of Dilshan as Sri Lanka lost their first wicket for 31 after 8 overs. Jayasuriya also looked in fine nick in his 15 runs before he edged Zaheer in the first slip.
For the Sri Lankan’s, Upul Tharanga hit his seventh ODI century and participated in a 126-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara (60) as Sri Lanka posted 315 for six, the highest score at the venue till India overhauled it.
Sri Lankan debutant Perera hit a quick-fire 31 to help the Srilankan’s cross the 300-mark.
Play had to be halted after 49.2 overs as one of the light towers failed to perform. This had happened during the previous IPL season also and relects on the bad management of Eden Gardens – one of the biggest and best cricketing venues in our country. Just when the Lankan innings was getting over, the floodlights near the scorecard went off, delaying the proceedings for about 23 minutes, much to the embarrassment of the organisers. It needed just 4 balls left to complete the Lankan innings.
India were without two of their star players, MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh. India only made one change as Virat Kohli replaced injured Yuvraj Singh.
G autam Gambhir patiently carved his seventh century while Virat Kohli struck his maiden century to script India’s series-clinching seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI on Thursday. Kohli was cool, calm, composed, and clinical in his approach and did not show any chink in his armour during his first ODI century.
Srilaka had made 315 runs and Ashish Nehra and Zahir Khan took two wickets each while Harbhajan managed to pick up one.
Batting second and chasing 316 to win the series, India found themselves in a dire state at 23 for two before Gambhir starred in an 224-run stand with Virat Kohli to bring the much needed oxygen into the match and then completed the victory in Dinesh Karthik’s company.
The wobbly start notwithstanding, it was a perfect chase by the Indians who cruised to 317 for three in 48.1 overs to go 3-1 up in the five-match series.
Gambhir also completed his 3000-runs in ODI matches.
India’ batting got off to a dismal start. Lakmal first got Sehwag and in his next over, induced Sachin Tendulkar for a doomed cut and Suraj Randiv took the catch at cover point.
Kohli and Gambhir showed maturity as they rebuilt the innings,with clinical precision.
Kohli asserted himself and played his shots with discretion of a matured batsman. He got out soon after completing his century and by then, India was very close to victory.
The jam packed Eden Gardens stadium crowed enjoyed a thrilling display of batting both by Sri Lanka and India on a day when more than 600 runs were clocked on the score board.
Te Man of the match was awarded to Gautam Gambhir but in all magnanimity he asked the orgaisers to give it to Virat Kohli for his first ODI century and al-round display of exemplary cricket.
Both the teams now move to Delhi for the fifth and final inconsequential match on Sunday.
Ravi Matah