COLOMBO // The India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni praised new-ball duo Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar after they skittled the Sri Lanka top-order to pave the way for their 33-run win in the third one-day international on Sunday. Dhoni admitted he felt his side had not scored enough after they posted a target of 237-9, but Zaheer (3-23) and Kumar (2-62) soon allayed those fears with a stunning new-ball spell.
That hold was loosened slightly following an 81-run stand for the eighth wicket between captain Mahela Jayawardene (94) and Thilan Thushara (30), but Zaheer returned to the attack to bowl Thushara with a yorker-length delivery. Munaf Patel then removed Jayawardene as the Sri Lankan recovery mission ran out of steam to ensure India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. "We played an extra batsman in this game and I thought we were 15 to 20 runs short because you need that extra when your part-time bowlers get hit for runs," said Dhoni, who was named man of the match after a valuable 76 from 80 balls.
* PA Sport