India v Sri Lanka, CB series, Hobart

Steady Dilshan guides Sri Lanka

Cricket +

25 overs Sri Lanka 108 for 1 (Dilshan 54*, Sangakkara 29*) v India
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Sri Lanka steadily built a solid foundation for a testing total in Hobart, a score that India will have to overhaul inside 40 overs to keep their qualification hopes alive. Mahela Jayawardene led a sound start with a restrained Tillakaratne Dilshan at the other end, but Dilshan gradually began to step up after losing his opening partner, in the company of a fluent Kumar Sangakkara, with whom he had added 59 at the 25-over mark.

India put Sri Lanka in, hoping to restrict them and have a clear plan for executing the chase but the presence of two set batsmen at the crease against a side that bats deep should worry them. Sri Lanka have plenty of ammunition in the middle order, which has been productive this series, and the platform laid out by their three senior batsmen at the top promises a difficult task for India's struggling batting unit.

The Sri Lankan approach was smooth, devoid of unnecessary risks and focussed on a workmanlike accumulation. Dilshan displayed some discomfort against Praveen Kumar's early inswing but fought it out, taking blows on the thigh, trying his best to get his body behind the ball and keeping himself from playing across the line. But when an opportunity presented itself, he cashed in, slashing Praveen through point and pulling the first-change Umesh Yadav through square leg. He grew more assured when the spinners came along, comfortably nudging the ball around for singles, crashing Ravindra Jadeja over mid-on and raising his second half-century of the series with a cut to the third-man boundary off R Ashwin.

MS Dhoni deployed his spinners as early as the 12th over, and it yielded the wicket of Jayawardene, who had looked well set, and threatening. He had charged out to Zaheer Khan and swung him cleanly for a four and six over mid-on and deep midwicket, and appeared at ease at the crease, pinching singles with regularity and preparing himself for a long stint. But he edged to Virender Sehwag at slip, attempting a late cut, though Sangakkara ensured the momentum was unhindered. Often dismissed this series after playing attractive cameos, Sangakkara was well-placed at the halfway stage in the innings, warming up with a couple of delightful shots off the back foot. One a cracking pull off Yadav and the other a punch through cover off Jadeja.