India v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI: Ambati Rayudu guides hosts to an easy win

Ambati Rayudu

Ahmedabad, Nov 6 (IANS) Indian middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu hit his maiden One-Day International (ODI) century, an unbeaten knock of 121, to guide India to an easy six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI of a five-match series here on Thursday.

Rayudu faced only 118 deliveries to reach his century, hitting 10 fours and six sixes. He was helped in his cause by opener Shikhar Dhawan (79) and a smooth 49 from skipper Virat Kohli at the Sardar Patel Stadium here.

Chasing 275, India were jolted early with Ajinkya Rahane dismissed for 18; however, it was smooth sailing for the Indians thereafter, as victory was never in doubt for the hosts with Dhawan and Kohli ably supporting Rayudu.

Sri Lanka's lone bright spot in the bowling department was spinner Seekkuge Prasanna who claimed 3 wickets for 53 runs, but he could not prevent India from winning as the home team reached their target of 275 runs with 33 balls to spare.

Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews (92) and Kumar Sangakkara (61) helped Sri Lanka post 274 for eight. The duo forged a 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket after their team were struggling at 54 for three in 13.5 overs. Sangakkara, 37, hit four boundaries, while Mathews hit a six and 10 fours to help the visitors set a fighting total for India.

The visitors got off to a poor start when opener Kusal Perera (0) was given leg before wicket off a Umesh Yadav delivery in the first over. Sangakkara joined Tilakaratne Dilshan (35) as the duo did the repair job, stitching together a 51-run stand till left-arm spinner Axar Patel dismissed Dilshan.

Sri Lanka fell deeper into trouble as Mahela Jayawardene (4) hit a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery straight into the hands of deep mid-wicket fielder Shikhar Dhawan.

Sangakkara and Mathews came together and started the repair work. After a slow start, they upped the ante and scored at a healthy pace to lead the Sri Lankan fightback.

Sangakkara's innings ended when he miscued a full toss from Umesh into the hands of long-on fielder Dhawan, who completed an over-head catch with the team score reading 154 for four in 32.2 overs.

Mathews, however, continued to flourish despite losing Seekkuge Prasanna (13) and Ashan Priyanjan (1) within next five overs. Axar and Ashwin removed Thisara Perera (10) and Suraj Randiv (10) before Dhammika Prasad (30) gave good support to his captain and forged a 54-run partnership in 40 balls to take the total to 274.

Scorecard

Sri Lanka:

Kusal Perera lbw b Yadav 0

Tillakaratne Dilshan b Patel 35

Kumar Sangakkara c Dhawan b Yadav 61

Mahela Jayawardene c Rayudu b Ashwin 4

Angelo Mathews not out 92

Seekkuge Prasanna c Rayudu b Jadeja 13

Ashan Priyanjan run out (Rayudu/Jadeja) 1

Thisara Perera b Patel 10

Suraj Randiv b Ashwin 10

Dhammika Prasad not out 30

Extras: (lb 10, w 6, nb 2) 18

Total: (for eight wickets in 50 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Perera, 0.6 overs), 2-55 (Dilshan, 10.3), 3-64 (Jayawardene, 13.5), 4-154 (Sangakkara, 32.2), 5-177 (Prasanna, 35.3), 6-179 (Priyanjan, 35.6), 7-205 (NLTC Perera, 40.2), 8-220 (Randiv, 43.2)

Bowling:

Umesh Yadav 10-1-54-2

Ishant Sharma 10-0-58-0

Ravichandran Ashwin 10-1-49-2

Axar Patel 10-1 -39-2

Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-64-1

India:

Ajinkya Rahane c Jayawardene b Prasad 8

Shikhar Dhawan c Priyanjan b Prasanna 79

Ambati Rayadu not out 121

Virat Kohli c Randiv b Prasanna 49

Suresh Raina lbw b Prasanna 14

Ravindra Jadeja not out 1

Extras (lb 1, w 1, nb 1) 3

Total (for four wickets in 44.3 overs) 275

Fall of wickets 1-18 (Rahane, 6.3 overs), 2-140 (Dhawan, 26.4), 3-256 (Kohli, 42.5), 4-270 (Raina, 44.1)

Bowling:

Angelo Mathews 4-0-18-0

Lahiru Gamage 8-1-28-0

Dhammika Prasad 7-0-51-1

Thisara Perera 4-0-35-0

Suraj Randiv 10-0-66-0

Tillakaratne Dilshan 2-0-9-0

Seekkuge Prasanna 7.3-0-53-0

Ashan Priyanjan 2-0-14-0

Match Details:

Player of the match – Amabati Rayudu (India)

Umpires – V.A. Kulkarni and B.N.J. Oxenford (Australia)

TV umpire – C Shamshuddin

Match referee – David Boon (Australia)

Reserve umpire – K. Srinath