Cricket : Updates August 2010
Your Ad Here

Another humiliating defeat for India

MS Dhoni

           India suffered another comprehensive defeat, this time at the hands of Sri Lankans in the ongoing Micromax Triangular ODI series on August 22 at Dambulla. The defeat not only put India on the verge of elimination but also put a big question mark on the so-called strong batting line-up. When India was shot out for paltry 88 runs against New Zealand, many optimistic supporters of Indian team thought that it was a bad day for India but when India again took a nose dive against Sri Lanka for just 103 runs on August 22, no excuses, no explanations and no reasons seem enough to calm down the fan's anger. It is a shameful batting display which once again brought disgrace to the nation. Now India needs a clean victory in the crunch match against New Zealand when India takes on them on August 25.

          Putting in to bat by Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakara, Indian batsmen found it very hot to survive against Sri Lankan pacemen. They played without commitment and fell like nine pins. Malinga and Kulasekara bowled perfectly in the opening overs and then 21-years old Thisara Perera ripped through the Indian middle order. Indian team was back in to the pavilion for just 103 runs in 33.4 overs, leaving Sri Lanka an easy task. Perera took 5 for 28, his first 5-wickets haul in his ODI career.

          Sri Lanka rattled up the required runs in just 15.1 overs. The victory not only gave them a bonus point but also book a place in the final.

  

New Records

        India suffered her biggest defeat at the hands of Sri Lankans in terms of balls remaining in an ODI. When India lost the match on August 22, 209 balls remained to be bowled. Hereunder are the details of India's five big losses in terms of balls -

Balls remaining Vs Venue Season
209 Sri Lanka Dambula Aug 22, 2010
174 Australia Sydney Jan 8, 1981
166 Australia Centurion Feb 15, 2003
146 New Zealand Queenstown Jan 4, 2003
145 Australia Baroda Oct 11, 2007
 
 

            India will now be up against New Zealand in a do or die battle on August 25. Only a win in this match can take India in to face saving position as India is lying third and last in the points table. New Zealand is at the second place with 7 points while India has only 5 against her name.

             Indian captain Dhoni further soured the situation by showing indecent at the end of the match as he didn't turn up for the regular press conference. An embarrassing example for the Indian Cricket lovers.

Click here for -- Scorecard

... by Animesh Khare