We wrote off the Indian team after the defeat in the first ODI and didn’t relent after they managed to clinch a modest victory in the second match.

The boys have proven us wrong and we are glad they’ve done so! Team India won the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka by 46 runs and hence sealed their first ever bilateral ODI series victory in and against Sri Lanka. The series win in itself is reason enough for celebration yet we have many more reasons to cheer.

The thought of winning the series wouldn’t have crossed Dhoni’s mind after the abysmal performance in the first ODI. The team bounced back and struck hard with a hunger to win which it doesn’t display very often. It succeeded after being shredded mercilessly for the performances in the test series. It overcame the Mendis-Murali hangover and rendered them virtually ineffective in the ODI series. It went on to secure the series in the absence of its bonafide Sachin-Sehwag opening duo. The team deserved the victory and the fans have got more than they asked for!

India was confident after two consecutive victories before the match which was postponed a day because of rain. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, was determined to put up a fight and to retain its claim on the cup. Dhoni won the toss for the fourth time in this series and elected to bat first. Virat Kohli’s bat finally shone as he slammed his first half-century today.

Two terrific innings by Suresh Raina (76) and skipper Dhoni (71) steered India to 224-3 when the dominos began to topple and the team finished at 258. Chaminda Vaas claimed Yuvraj Singh as his 400th ODI victim and thus became the 4th member of the 400 wicket-taking bowlers club. Thilan Thushara made a five-wicket haul that eventually did no good for his team.

Sri Lanka started out confidently without yielding under pressure. They lost wickets here and then but Jayasuriya kept the Lankan hopes alive with his sizzling 60. Mahela Jayawardene who has been the savior for Sri Lanka so far in the series could not come to his team’s rescue today. Thushara tried to revive the sinking Sri Lankan ship but could not do much against a team which was bent on winning.

The Sri Lankans have been locked, stocked and barreled. Into the Indian Ocean!

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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