India clinch series 3-1 in Sri Lanka

India won their first-ever bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka. Dhoni’s luck at the toss continued as he won his fourth on the trot, and it was an important one too.

Beyond that it was hard work and smart cricket that won India the game by 46 runs to give them an unbeatable 3-1 lead with one match to play. The margin of victory could have been bigger had the middle  and lower order batsmen showed some common sense. All they needed was just taking singles and the total would have gone past 280. 

At one stage when Jayasurya was blazing with the bat it seemed the total of 258 was too small. With his departure the complexion of the game changed. In an intelligent move, Dhoni introduced Bhajji who immediately removed the threatening Jayasurya (60 off 50 balls). Thereafter, cool Dhoni kept on mounting pressure on the Lankans with tactful  bowling and fielding changes. India overcame a late charge by Thusara when he holed to Suresh Raina in deep mid wicket to be the last man out.    

India played to the perfect script for ODIs in Sri Lanka, following the basic principle of putting runs on the board and then bringing the spinners into the game as the pitch began to take turn. Gautam Gambhir protected his wicket well, and with Virat Kohli playing a few shots, India got off to a strong start. Sri Lanka made their first breakthrough with the score on 44 when Gambhir attempted to accelerate and slashed one to point.

Yuvraj Singh, a shaky starter at the best of times, lasted only six balls before becoming Chaminda Vaas’s 400th ODI wicket. At 51 for 2, India were wobbling and were in danger of squandering a solid start.