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5th ODI: India-Sri Lanka tri-series thriller ends in a tie

ADELAIDE,Febrauary14,2012: A determined half-century show by skipper MS Dhoni denied Sri Lanka their maiden win in the tri-series as the fifth ODI of the tournament ended in a dramatic tie at Adelaide on Tuesday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Chasing 237, set by the Lankans, India lost wickets at regular intervals.

However, brilliant knocks from Gautam Gambhir (91) and Dhoni 58 took India to 236.

India got off to a poor start as Sachin Tendulkar once again failed to shine. The veteran scored just 15 and became the first Indian batsman to be dismissed.

Virat Kohli and Gambhir then consolidated the innings. But at the score of 61, Thisara Perera trapped Kholi (15) leg before wickets to give India second blow.

Rohit Sharma's willow too remained silent as the right-handed batsman could too score just 15.

Before India could recover, Lasith Malinga claimed his first victim in form of Suresh Raina (8).

Dhoni then joined Gambhir at the crease and tried to rescue the side from storm of wickets.

The duo shared 60-run stand for the fifth wicket, raising hope for India's victory.

However, a brilliant thrown by Nuwan Kulasekara not only restricted Gambhir from getting his ton but also turn the tide in favour of Sri Lanka.

Gambhir's dismissal once again triggered India's collapse.

Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan pathan and Vinay Kumar went back in quick succession before Dhoni held his nerve in the final over to deny Sri Lanka their first win.

India's disciplined attack

Sent in to field, Vinay Kumar (3-46) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2-30) led a discipline bowling attack to help India restrict Sri Lanka to 236/9.

Indian pacers Vinay Kumar and Irfan Pathan (1-38) gave India a prolific start as they took a wicket each inside 8 overs.

After losing three wickets early, Dinesh Chandimal (81) and Mahela Jayawardene (43) added 94-run stand for the fourth wickets to revive the Sri Lanka innings. But the duo fall in quick succession during the batting powerplay to give India edge in the final stages of their innings.

Some lofty shots by Sachithra Senanayake (22 not out) in the end helped Sri Lanka set a decent 237-run target for India after they were reduced to 210/7 in 46.3 overs from 173/3 in 36.1 overs.

Chandimal was run out trying to steal a cheeky single in the 38th over after he completed his fifth ODI fifty to revive Sri Lanka innings. The right-hander hit a six and six boundaries in his brilliant 91 balls knock.

Pacer Vinay Kumar trapped Jayawardene leg before to provide India a crucial breakthrough as he ended dangerous-looking 94-run fourth wicket partnership between Jayawardene and Chandimal.

Jayawardene played a vigilant but smart innings of 43 off 49 balls with just two boundaries before Vinay Kumar dismissed him.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got better of patient Kumar Sangakkara (31) as Sri Lanka lost their third wicket with just 79 on board in 19.4 overs.

After losing two early wickets, Sangakkara revived the Lankan innings with Dinesh Chandimal as the duo added valuable 51-run for the third wicket. Sanga played a watchful innings of 31 off 56 balls, hitting just two boundaries.

India pacers Irfan Pathan and Vinay Kumar struck early to put India in front on Tuesday.

Comeback pacer Pathan dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan (16) in the eighth over to reduce Lanka to 28/2 in 7.1 overs.

Asked to field first, India got off to a great start as pacer Vinay Kumar dismissed Upal Tharanga for nought with the second ball of the match.

Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Jayawardene won the toss and decided to bat against India as the islanders look to register their first victory in the tri-series.

Virender Sehwag has back trouble and made way for the return of Sachin Tendulkar, while paceman Zaheer Khan has an injured calf, allowing Irfan Pathan to make his first appearance at the tournament.

"In the previous matches, we left it for the lower order batsmen. Yeah, we should have finished the previous game in the 48th over. When you are chasing it is very important to take it to the end. Sehwag has a back spasm and is out, Zaheer has a problem with his right calf. Sachin returns, and Irfan is back," said Dhoni as India prepare to chase again for the fourth time in four matches.

Dhammika Prasad and Lahiru Thirimanne were left out of the Sri Lankan lineup, making way for Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath.

"We've been inconsistent with the bat, fielding there have been a few lapses but has been good overall. Dammika has a niggle, Thirimanne is out. Thisara and Herath picked," said Jayawardene after winning the toss.

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