Murali ends Indian dreams

Muttiah Muralitharan led Sri Lankan to a 69 run win over India, all but putting the Indians out the competition.

The victory was set up by half-centuries from Upul Tharanga and Chamara Silva, and finished off by Murali with a spell of 3-40.

The first innings was an entertaining battle between two sides, as Sri Lanka batted first to compile 254-6, a competitive total, but one well within the reach of the Indians. India made the early running with the ball, removing Sri Lanka’s “big three” of Jayasuriya, Jayawardene and Sangakkara cheaply.

Jayasuriya scratched around for six before slashing to third man, Jayawardene fell to a stunning catch from Dhoni, and Sangakkara holed out against Ganguly’s medium pace. while the more accomplished players struggled, Upul Tharanga scored a chancy but battling 64 at the other end. He resisted the movement the Indian bowlers found, before coming undone against Sachin Tendulkar’s leg-spin.

Sri Lanka were now 133-4, needing some more runs. These were gladly provided by Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who shared a partnership of 83. Silva, in a run of good form, was working hard for his runs once again, running quick singles and creating opportunities for boundaries with some unorthodox strokeplay.

Dilshan chose to back away and smash through off, and both were relatively successful, but both fell in successive overs, giving India a chance to seize the momentum. Chaminda Vaas and Russel Arnold denied them this chance though, both striking a few boundaries to take Sri Lanka up and above 250.

India’s chase started poorly. Chaminda Vaas removed both openers, before Dilhara Fernando struck a crucial blow, removing Sachin Tendulkar without scoring. From 44-3, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag looked to keep India in the game. They added 54, but Sehwag, who played very nicely for his 48, was in all sorts of bother against Muttiah Muralitharan. He was nearly bowled by one doosra, before edging a second to slip.

Dravid struggled with an injured foot during his 60, and was forced to have a runner until he holed out to Murali off Sanath Jayasuriya. Another crucial wicket to fall needlessly was Yuvraj Singh, who called Dravid through for a single that wasn’t on, and was run out after being sent back.

With little hope remaining for the Indians, Murali dealt the killer blow, trapping Dhoni lbw first ball with a top spinner. They reached 185 before the tenth wicket fell, but it was longer over as a contest.

This now means that India are only able to reach the Super Eight stage via a Bermudan victory over Bangladesh on Sunday, so they are all but out. They may be an extremely talented side, but the fact is, they were beaten by two sides who played the better cricket.

Sri Lanka 254-6
Upul Tharanga 64, Chamara Silva 59
Zaheer Khan 2-41

India 185 all out
Rahul Dravid 60, Virender Sehwag 48
Muttiah Muralitharan 3-40, Chaminda Vaas 2-39

Sri Lanka win by 69 runs

Cricket Web Man of the Match: Muttiah Muralitharan (3-40)