FATULLAH (BANGLADESH), Feb 28 (PTI): Experienced Kumar Sangakkara showed the way with a breathtaking 84-ball 103 as Sri Lanka recovered from a middle-order batting collapse to pull off a thrilling two-wicket victory over India in the Asia Cup here today. Chasing 265 for win, the islanders rode on the 36-year-old�s masterclass to complete the task with four balls to spare at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
The win helped Sri Lanka jump to the top of table in the five-nation continental tournament.
With Shikhar Dhawan (94) and Virat Kohli (48) taking India to 264 for nine after being sent into bat, Sri Lanka were cruising at 134 for one after the butterfingered Indian fielders dropped three catches.
But Ravindra Jadeja, who scalped two wickets in two balls en route to 3/30 and Ravichandran Aswhin (2/42), brought back the Indians. However, Sangakkara stood firm till the penultimate over, in the process striking 12 boundaries and a six.
Continuing his dream run in Bangladesh that include one triple century, three centuries and two half-centuries across Test and ODI formats, Sangakkara looked in complete control even as he lacked support at the other end, after the departure of Kusal Perera (64).
With his team under pressure, the experienced campaigner ensured that he took Sri Lanka close to the target as he completed his 18th ODI century with a boundary in 83 balls, only to be dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the next ball.
Scorecard
India
R Sharma lbw b Senanayake 13
S Dhawan b Mendis 94
V Kohli b Mendis 48
Rahane c Thirimanne b Senanayake 22
A Rayudu c K Perera b de Silva 18
D Karthik c de Silva b Mendis 4
R Jadeja not out 22
S Binny lbw b Senanayake 0
R Ashwin b Malinga 18
B Kumar st Sangakkara b Mendis 0
M Shami not out 14
Extras: (B-4, LB-1, W-6) 11
Total: (for 9 wickets in 50 overs) 264
Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-130, 3-175, 4-196, 5-200, 6-214, 7-215, 8-245, 9-247
Bowling: Lasith Malinga 10-0-58-1; Ajantha Mathews 3.2-1-9-0; Sachithra Senanayake 10-0-41-3; Thisara Perera 6.4-0-40-0; Ajantha Mendis 10-0-60-4; Chaturanga de Silva 10-0-51-1.
Sri Lanka
K Perera c Karthik b Ashwin 64
L Thirimanne lbw b Ashwin 38
K Sangakkara c Ashwin b M Shami 103
M Jayawardene c Sharma b Jadeja 9
D Chandimal b Jadeja 0
A Mathews lbw b M Shami 6
S Senanayake c Sharma b M Shami 12
C de Silva lbw b Jadeja 9
T Perera not out 11
A Mendis not out 5
Extras: (LB-7, W-1) 8
Total: (for 8 wkts in 49.2 overs) 265
Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-134, 3-148, 4-148, 5-165, 6-183, 7-216, 8-258.
Bowling: B Kumar 9.2-1-45-0; M Shami 10-0-81-3; R Ashwin 10-0-42-2; S Binny 4-0-22-0; R Jadeja 10-1-30-3; A Rayudu 1-0-9-0; R Sharma 5-0-29-0.
