Daredevils make merry; after Sehwag it is Dilshan in focus in second ODI

NAGPUR: If it was Daredevil Virender Sehwag who went on a rampage in the first ODI at Rajkot and put Dilshan Tillakaratne’s century in the shade, the Sri Lanka opener ensured he was not overshadowed this time in the second one-dayer. Just like Sehwag, Dilshan was adjudged Man of the Match in second ODI.

Dilshan scored hiss second successive century – 123 runs in 113 balls – and helped Sri Lanka beat India by three wickets to square the five-match series 1-1.

Earlier Indian skipper, electing to bat after India won the toss scored a century – 107 in 111 balls as India made 301 for seven in 50 overs. India were hit by early dismissals of Daredevils Virender Sehwag (4) and Gautam Gambhir (3) with the first five overs.

Daredevil Dilshan lashed his fifth one-day century, and second in a row as he set up a fine win. But that was in danger in the middle of the innings before Angelo Mathews rescued the Islanders and took them to a win.

Dilshan contributed 63 to a 102-run opening stand with Upul Tharanga. Sri Lanka's fifty came up in 6.3 overs, most of the runs coming down the ground.

It was sizzling batting from Dilshan who was often hitting by coming out of the crease and scored with powerful drives over mid-off and mid-on.

After Sehwag, Dilshan is the closest that a batsman can come to making bowlers wring their hands in despair. Dilshan spent 16 deliveries in the nineties, reached his century, raised his arms, and promptly smashed Ashish Nehra for two fours. He also featured in a 66-run third-wicket stand with Mahela Jayawardene.