India ease to Sri Lanka victory
Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:04Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli smashed half-centuries to guide India to an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Sunday and a place in the Tri-series one-day tournament final against the same opponents.
India bowled out Sri Lanka for 213, then knocked off the runs with more than 17 overs to spare.
Gambhir hit 71, as did the unbeaten Kohli.
Gambhir enjoyed let-offs when he was on 41 and 43, dropped respectively by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga at cover-point and mid-wicket in successive overs of Thilan Thushara.
He put on 89 with Dinesh Karthik for the opening wicket before adding 72 with Kohli. Karthik, playing for rested regular opener Virender Sehwag, made 48.
Earlier, half-centuries from skipper Kumar Sangakkara (68) and all-rounder Suraj Randiv (56) steadied Sri Lanka who were in deep trouble at 84 for six.
India play Bangladesh in their final round-robin match on Monday before meeting Sri Lanka in the final on Wednesday.
