India on brink of elimination
The 2003 finalists look set to join neighbours Pakistan as the big-name sides to crash out
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Friday, 23, Mar 2007 10:31
India look set to crash out of the World Cup after losing to Sri Lanka by 69 runs in Trinidad.
Despite a brave knock of 60 by skipper Rahul Dravid, the 1983 winners were skittled out for 185 with 39 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka had set a competitive total of 254 to win thanks to 64 by Upul Tharanga and 59 from Chamara Silva.
If Bangladesh beat minnows Bermuda tomorrow, they will join Sri Lanka in the Super Eight stages with India being dumped out.
After choosing to field first, India were given an early boost when dangerman Sanath Jayasuriya (6) was caught by Ajit Agarkar in the deep off the bowling of Zaheer Khan.
Wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara (15) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (7) were then out cheaply to leave Sri Lanka on 92-3.
But opener Tharanga made a valuable 64 off 90 balls to keep the 1996 winners in the match before being trapped lbw by Sachin Tendulkar.
The crucial partnership was Silva and all-rounder Tilakaratne Dilshan (38) who put on 83.
Russel Arnold then smashed an unbeaten 19 off 13 balls while Chaminda Vaas whacked the same score off 12 balls as India's bowlers struggled at the death.
In reply India's star-studded batting line-up crumbled with openers Robin Uthappa (18) and in-form Sourav Ganguly (7) both falling to Vaas.
Star man Sachin Tendulkar was then cleanly bowled by Dilhara Fernando for a duck to leave India on 44-3.
Virender Sehwag continued his return to form with a quick-fire 48 off 46 balls before being bamboozled by a fine delivery by Muttiah Muralitharan.
Yuvraj Singh made just six before a comical mix-up with skipper Dravid saw him run out while wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was dismissed for a duck.
Dravid continued to try and steer his side to a stunning victory but was eventually dismissed by Jayasuriya having needed a runner after suffering a hamstring injury.
Despite a last-wicket partnership of 29, Jayawardene's side sealed victory with Muralitharan finishing with 3-34 while Vaas took 2-39.