Gautam Gambhir says "It was my best ODI knock"

Elated after guiding India to a facile, series-clinching win against Sri Lanka, star batsman Gautam Gambhir said he would rate the unbeaten 150 as the best innings of his career so far. He also expressed satisfaction of staying till the end and guiding the team to victory.

"This is the first time I finished a game remaining unbeaten. It was important for me to get going and convert it into a big one. It feels great that I finished the game," Gambhir said after being named as the man of the match for the Kolkata contest. It was a brilliantly paced innings by the left-hander who added 224 runs with Virat Kohli (107) for the third wicket to put India's chase back on track.

Gambhir said the series-clinching victory was made possible by the team's impressive bench strength.

"We have enough guys in the bench who can prove themselves even in the absence of great players like Dhoni and Yuvraj," Gambhir said.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

India Vs Srilanka T20: Srilanka Wins by 29 runs

Twenty20 cricket is often about hammer and tongs but Kumar Sangakkara took batting to a different plane. In a fine exhibition of aggressive batting, the Lankan captain hammered Indian bowling attack to score a splendid 78 in 37 balls, taking Lanka to a massive 215 for five. In the end, it proved 29 runs too many, as India finished with 186 for nine after 20 overs. Incidentally, it was India’s fourth loss in a row in T20 internationals.

The captain, who got run out on the last ball of the match, led from the front and other batsmen pitched in with valuable contributions. Sangakkara, in his innings, scored 11 fours and 2 sixes and won the man-of-the-match award for his brilliant effort. The Lankan innings, which was a magnificent run feast, included 29 boundaries and 5 sixes.

In reply, India started off well, with openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. Nuwan Kulasekhara provided the Lankans with the  first breakthrough. He had Sehwag caught at deep point for a 14-ball 26.

Gambhir was in murderous mood, piercing off-side at will. He pulverized the Lankan bowling attack with a barrage of shots. Angelo Mathews removed him with a fuller delivery, knocking off his stumps in the ninth over.

Thereafter, Indian middle-order returned to pavilion in a procession. The humiliation was complete when India could only manage 186 for nine after 20 overs. India would be looking to respond strongly when the two teams meet for the second T20 International at Mohali on Saturday.

Source: Cricket Nirvana