ODI Match: India @ Sri Lanka

Yes, you guessed it, I'm hitting the Indians again, backing them to equal their longest winning sequence in one dayers (8) and take the best of 5 series in the process.  Sri Lanka are not playing bad cricket, and they prbably will take a match or 2 in this series, but I believe that India want to win this one so that they can give some reserve players some time in the remaining matches.

 

The Indian batsmen have handled the Sri Lankan spin duo well thus far in the series (1 for 99 & 2 for 76 collectively in the first two matches), and have won both matches even with their opening pair being broken thanks to some questionable umpiring directed toward Tendulkar (5 & 6).

 

Whilst this match will be played on a different pitch (same ground) to the second pitch, the toss will be important (see previous thread) and the team that wins the toss is likely to bat first (I may wait until toss to determine size of wager).

 

 

 

 

Here's a telling stat: Dhoni has won 7 of his last 8 tosses against Sri Lanka in ODIs, and in the one match where he lost, India lost their only match.

Dhoni wins the toss again, and elects to bat.  Once again the Sri Lankans dismiss Tendulkar cheaply (7), once again it's thanks to a questionable lbw decision.  The Sri Lankans take a further wicket thanks to some luck, an accidental run out and the Indians are 2 for 24 and in trouble.  Sehwag and Singh correct the ship to take the Indians to 2 for 95 off 14 overs.  One of these two need to go on to make a century.

 

 

Well done