Bowlers and Sehwag overpower SriLanka to secure a bonus point

India, who were dismissed for 88 in their 200-run loss against New Zealand in the first match, reached the victory target in 34.3 overs thus finishing with two bonus points to bounce back in the tournament. This was made possible by an unfied bowling effort from all bowlers whoo kept bowling at nagging line and length and well supported by Sehwag who was denied a well-deserved century, but the swashbuckling opener made sure that he took India home against Sri Lanka with six wickets in hand in the ODI tri-nation series on Monday.

But there was a sore point when Sehwag batting at 99 and India needing just one run for victory struck Suraj Randiv for a huge six over long-off and raised his bat in celebration, only to realise a moment later that it was a big no-ball from the off-spinner and his runs would not be counted. As per the rule, which many would have come to know only today, the match finished when Randiv over-stepped which gave India the required one run to win, making Sehwag's six inconsequential

The wickets falling at the other end prompted Sehwag to restrain himself - Dinesh Karthik's edginess at the crease gradually developed into visible frustration and the one delivery he could have dispatched with ease, he slashed straight to third man. India's two competitors for a middle-order slot, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, followed in successive overs and it appeared the Sri Lankan seamers had set up a low-scoring thriller.

Sehwag, who got a life when he was dropped while nearing half-century, curbed his attacking instinct from the start and took time to settle down on a tricky wicket. He and Suresh Raina (21) added 59 runs to steady the ship before the latter was out to Dilhara Fernando.Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni then made 23 and shared an unbeaten 80 runs partnership with Shewag, who struck 11 fours and two sixes in his 100-ball innings as he gradually opened up towards the end

Earlier, India put up a spirited bowling performance to bowl Sri Lanka out for 170 runs in 46.1 overs.  Medium pacer Praveen Kumar wrecked the Sri Lankan top order, taking two wickets for 20. He removed opener Upul Tharanga with the first ball of the match and then trapped former captain Mahela Jayawardene leg-before in his fourth over. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma also picked up two for 32.

Spinners Pragyan Ojha (3-36) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-34) put on the pressure as India never allowed Sri Lankan batsmen to settle down.