India Clinch One-Day Series In Style
Pune, Nov 3 (PTI) India clinched the seven-match series against Sri Lanka by taking an unassailable 4-0 lead in the fourth game here today, relying on brilliant team work to record a one-day title triumph after a gap of nearly one and half years.
Chasing a stiff target of 262 for victory, the Indians were in a spot of bother at one stage before the new batting sensation Mahendra Singh Dhoni (45 not out) and young Suresh Raina (39 not out) kept their cool to steer the team to a four-wicket victory with 26 balls to spare.
It was yet another commendable performance by Rahul Dravid and his men as they not only only recorded their fourth convincing win on a trot but also notched up their first one-day win since the tour of Pakistan in March-April last year.
Dhoni, who played a sedate knock in keeping with the situation, brought about the remarkable victory in style by clobbering Russel Arnold for two consecutive sixes to send the capacity crowd at the stadium into a frenzy.
Captain Rahul Dravid (63), Virender Sehwag (48 ) and Venugopala Rao (38 ) were the other notable contributors for India who avenged their recent defeats against Sri Lanka. PTI
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Dhoni, Rao, Raina Are Future Of Indian Batting: Dravid Pune, Nov 3 (PTI) The future of Indian batting has arrived in the shape of youngsters like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Venugopal Rao, skipper Rahul Dravid said today.
"Dhoni, Raina and Venugopal Rao are the future of Indian batting and it looks very exciting," Dravid said after the youngsters scripted a series-clinching four wicket victory over the Sri Lankans here.
"It is most satisfying to see players who have not even played 10 games for the country take responsibility and see the side home," he said.
Admitting that he himself played a bad shot at a crucial juncture, Dravid said Raina and Dhoni played "brilliantly" under pressure to settle the match.
Talking about the gains from the series, he said "we played as a team and everyone contributed towards the cause." Dravid singled out Ajit Agarkar and Harbhajan Singh for special praise saying the off-spinner's bowling had made a big difference to the side.
Rival captain Marvan Atapattu said "things are not going too well for us and these are tough times." "A couple of missed chances cost us and the Indians finished the match pretty well," Atapattu said, adding however that there were clear signs of improvement in the side.
Man of the match Ajit Agarkar said he concentrated on hitting good areas and bowling straight.
"My action is holding up well as I have worked hard on it am getting good swing and reverse swing at the moment," the wiry paceman said. PTI
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