india played their second match of the world cup against Sri Lanka at the Oval in London last Thursday. The Lanka team was the underdog and India was expected to win the match easily. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to field.
India got off to a flying start Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan stroked the ball freely. Shikar played extremely well and hit his 10th one day hundred. He scored 125 and laid the foundation of a big Indian score. India totalled 322 for the loss of 3 wickets in their alotted quota of overs. Old timer Mahendra Singh Dhoni added to the total a quick 64 not out.
After the match the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, said he considerd at that stage that 322 was a good score to defend against Sri Lanka. A score of over 300 in a one day match is generally considered safe. The Indians who are defending their title were expected to win.
Lanka outbat India
The Lankan team led by Mathews took on the Indian score. They lost an early wicket but Gunathilaka and new batsman Mendis frusterated the Indian attack. They took time to settle in but soon laid the foundation of a great win. With skipper Mathews chipping in with 52 not out the Lankan team outbatted India to reach the total in 48.3 overs. it was a great win for Sri Lanka. On this particular day the Lankan team played the better game.
The failure was in the Indian bowling that failed to contain the Lanka batsmen.
Indian defeat
With this defeat the Indian team is in a quandary. They will now have to win the next match against South Africa to stay in the tournament. in case they lose there will be no option but to go back home. The Indian batting is good, but the week link is the bowling.
Ashwin who looks so good on Indian wickets is unable to do much. Outside the subcontinent Indian pacers also lack bite. In hindsight the Indians were about 30 to 40 runs less on the board than required. Shikhar Dhawan's 125 third century in World Cup matches was to no avail. The Lankans played clinically and won. India now have a major task to try and remain in the tournamnet.
Future
This result could also signal that all is not well in the in the Indian team dressing room. There appears to be a rift between the coach Kumble and the captain Kohli. It appears to be a clash of egos and there is a good chance that Kumble may be replaced as the Indian coach after the world cup.The Indian captain Kohli summed up the predicament of the Indian team at the Press Conference. He mentioned that India will have to treat each match as a semi final if it is to survive in the tournament. The Lankan team has done well and can celebrate with champagne after having shown that the Indian team is not invincible.
