India once again wilted against quality pace bowling as Sri Lanka defeated them by 51 runs in the eighth match of the One-day Tri-series at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. India, who were shot out for 178 by the Australian pace battery during a 110-run loss at the same venue on Sunday, were all out for 238 in 45.1 overs against Sri Lanka, chasing 290 for victory. Did not bat: N. Kulasekara, L. Malinga, R. Herath Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-38, 3-54, 4-146, 5-172, 6-191, 7-215, 8-232, 9-233
Nuwan Kulasekara picked up three wickets, including Gautam Gambhir (29) and Sachin Tendulkar (22), while Thisara Perera cleaned up at the end with four wickets. Lasith Malinga took two while the remaining wicket went to paceman Farveez Maharoof.
India, the 50-over world champions, got off to a dreadful start, losing their top three batsmen with just 54 on the board. Virender Sehwag, who led India in the absence of the banned Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was caught at third man off the second delivery of the innings while Tendulkar's wait for his 100th ton was prolonged after he played Kulasekara on to his stumps.
India tried to rebuild with a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket between Virat Kohli (66), who was dropped twice by Dinesh Chandimal, and Suresh Raina (32) but it was never enough. Irfan Pathan (47) played an entertaining late cameo to deny Sri Lanka a bonus point before India were all out on the first delivery of the 46th over.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) and Mahela Jayawardene (45) gave Sri Lanka the ideal start with a 95-run opening stand after they won the toss and opted to bat. Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets during the middle overs and needed some an assault by Lahiru Thirimanne (62) and all-rounder Angelo Mathews (49 not out) to get to 289 for six from their 50 overs.
Left-handed Thirimanne added 71 for the fourth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (38) and combined in another 49-run stand with Mathews, who hit four boundaries and a six during his 37-ball knock, as Sri Lanka garnered 91 runs from their last 10 overs. India withdrew a run out appeal against Thirimanne in the 40th over after Ravichandran Ashwin had removed the bails at the non-striker's end while the batsman had backed out of the crease during the delivery.
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Sri Lanka innings
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M. Jayawardene c Sehwag b Pathan 45
T. Dilshan c Patel b Ashwin 51
K. Sangakkara c Tendulkar b Yadav 8
D. Chandimal b Pathan 38
L. Thirimanne c Raina b Ashwin 62
A. Mathews not out 49
T. Perera b Raina 10
F. Maharoof not out 4
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Extras: (b-1 lb-2 w-18 nb-1) 22
Total: (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) 289
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Fall of wickets: 1-95, 2-104, 3-124, 4-195, 5-244, 6-265
Bowling: Kumar 8-1-48-0 (1nb), Pathan 10-0-54-2 (4w), Yadav 8-0-58-1 (2w), Jadeja 10-0-43-0 (1w), Ashwin 10-0-50-2 (4w), Sehwag 2-0-9-0, Raina 1-0-10-1 (1w), Kohli 1-0-14-0 (2w)
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India innings
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V. Sehwag c Kulasekara b Malinga 0
S. Tendulkar b Kulasekara 22
G. Gambhir c Perera b Kulasekara 29
V. Kohli c Kulasekara b Perera 66
S. Raina c Thirimanne b Maharoof 32
R. Jadeja b Kulasekara 17
I. Pathan c & b Perera 47
P. Patel c Malinga b Perera 4
R. Ashwin c Sangakkara b Malinga 5
V. Kumar c sub b Perera 0
U. Yadav not out 0
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Extras: (lb-7 w-9) 16
Total: (all out, 45.1 overs) 238
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Bowling: Malinga 8-0-55-2 (2w), Kulasekara 9-0-40-3 (4w), Maharoof 10-1-52-1, Mathews 4-0-12-0, Perera 7.1-0-37-4, Herath 7-0-35-0 (1w)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 51 runs.
Standings in the one-day international tri-series after Tuesday's game between Sri Lanka and India in Brisbane (games, wins, losses, tied, points):
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Australia 5 3 2 0 14
Sri Lanka 5 2 2 1 11
India 5 2 1 2 10
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