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Asia Cup - 2004
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Asia Cup - 2004
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News
India run out of steam to lose by
13 runs
DAMBULLA: Rahul Dravid's gritty effort went in vain as India ran out
of steam to crash to a 13-run defeat against hosts Sri Lanka in
their last group-B league match of the Asia Cup one-day cricket
tournament on Sunday.
Dravid led the fight back after early loss of wickets with a
courageous 82 off 96 balls but the target off 283 proved too stiff
for the Indians as they finished at 269 for eight in a thrilling
day-night encounter at the Rangiri Stadium.
The Indian vice-captain shared a 133-run fifth wicket partnership
with Yuvraj Singh who overcame a scratchy start to slam a vital 47.
Despite the loss, India advance to the Super League stage of the
six-nation tournament as the second team in the group and will take
on group A runner-up Bangladesh at Colombo on Wednesday.
Indians had a disastrous start as Sachin Tendulkar (11) failed once
again and his makeshift partner Parthiv Patel (6) did nothing of
note either.
Virender Sehwag (37) played a few sparkling strokes before a direct
throw sent him packing and Sourav Ganguly (6) pulled at a delivery
too close to his body.
Dravid and Yuvraj took some time to find their feet but then
blossomed out in the middle overs to put Sri Lanka back on defence.
The two staged a recovery to the extent that Indians after being 71
for four at one stage, were 200 for 4 in the 40th over, the same as
Sri Lanka were at this juncture batting first.
For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Zoysa was the pick of the bowler, taking three
for 49 besides connecting a direct hit to find Sehwag short of his
crease.
Yuvraj departed in the 41st over through a miscued hit off Chaminda
Vaas after making 47 from 78 balls with four fours.
Mohammad Kaif immediately made his presence felt by slamming Zoysa
through the covers and then picking him up and depositing him beyond
the wide midwicket stands.
Dravid departed in the 46th over when he went on the backfoot to
Muthiah Muralitharan and was bowled for 82 from 96 balls with eight
fours and a six.
That sounded the end of India's chase as Sri Lankan bowlers closed
out the game in a professional manner.
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