/ 26 February 2008

India thrash Sri Lanka to reach finals

India thrashed Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Hobart on Tuesday to book their place in the tri-series finals against Australia.

India wrapped up a comprehensive victory with more than 17 overs to spare when they bowled Sri Lanka out for 179 before reaching their target for the loss of just three wickets.

Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma captured four wickets each with the ball while Gautam Gambhir (63 not out) and Sachin Tendulkar (63) scored the bulk of the runs.

Sri Lanka needed to win their last two matches to leapfrog India in the standings and make the best-of-three finals but came unstuck at the first leg. They now have nothing to play for in their last match against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

Kumar took 4-31 and Ashant 4-41 as the Indian bowlers polished off the Sri Lankan innings in 47.1 overs, despite a spirited performance from lower-order batsmen Chamara Kapugedera.

Sri Lanka were in danger of settling for a much smaller total when they slumped to 93-7 in the 26th over before Kapugedera rescued the innings with 57.

Sri Lanka had made a strong start at Bellerive Oval when opener Sanath Jayasuriya and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara took the score along to 72-1 in the 15th over before the wickets suddenly started to tumble.

Sangakkara went for 33 then Jayasuriya followed for 34 as Kumar and Sharma ripped through the middle-order, picking up six wickets for 21 runs in 11 overs.

Kapugedara, who was recalled to the side for Farveez Maharoof, gave the Sri Lankans a glimmer of hope when he struck four boundaries in his 86-ball knock before he was the last man out, but it was never enough.

India lost Robin Uthappa (11) cheaply but Tendulkar and Gambhir steered them to victory with a second-wicket partnership of 102. — Reuters