Srilanka lift Asia Cup 2008

IT WAS the same old story for India in the Asia Cup finals. They once again faltered at the final hurdle. Srilankan spinner Ajantha Mendis casted a web around the Indian batsmen.

The Islanders victory over India was a combination of young and old. Captain Mahela Jayawardene’s judiciousness was another factor. All this combined to rout India.

On a Sunday (July 7), the mighty Srilanka defeated India by a big margin of 100 runs in Karachi. A marvellous bowling spell by Mendis wrecked the Indian order and won the match for Lanka. The splendid innings of Jayasuriya ws exceptional. His 125 included five sixes. Mendis picked six wickets and conceded only 13 runs in his eight overs.

After being set a target of 274 runs to chase for victory, India started on a confident note. The early and unlucky dismissal of Gautam Gambhir at the score of 36 gave a possibility to Srilanka. Soon after the collapse of Gambhir’s wicket, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni sent Suresh Raina.

Even after the exit of Raina, he strategy of Indian captain did not change. That proved costly. Even at that stage, if the patient Dhoni had joined Sehwag, the result could have been different. The impatient Yuvaraj Singh was clean bowled and the hopes were shattered. The fastest Asia Cup half-century by Sehwag and the responsible innings by the captain could not save the match for India.

Pragyan Ojha did well but his spin failed to yield wickets. Had it not been for him, the Lankans might have crossed the 300-run mark. After the match, Dhoni said that his teammates could not read Mendis well and the forth coming series with Lanka would be a tough one. The Lankan captain also stated the same during the presentation ceremony.


Source:
http://www.merinews.com/