Nagpur: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed his second consecutive hundred at the VCA stadium in Nagpur and his sixth in ODI cricket as India posted a challenging total of 301 for 7 off 50 overs in the second ODI against Sri Lanka.

Dhoni was dismissed in the last over of the innings trying to go for another big hit off the bowling of debutante Suraj Randiv but was caught at deep mid-wicket by Tillakratne Dilshan. Dhoni made 107 off 111 balls in an innings laced with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Earlier, India won the toss on a pitch that was expected to be another batting beauty and opted to bat first. The centurion of the last game, Virender Sehwag, was back in the hut in the very first over when he was caught behind off the bowling of Chanaka Welegedara for 4. Gautam Gambhir also didn’t last long as he was run out trying to steal a quick single but colliding with the bowler Welegedara at the non-striker’s end. He was dismissed for 2 and India were in a spot of bother at 19 for 2.

Sachin Tendulkar then consolidated the innings in the company of Virat Kohli, adding 62 runs for the third wicket before he went for one big shot too many, getting stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off the bowling of Ajantha Mendis for 43 off 52 balls including four boundaries.

Virat Kohli, who was promoted to number four in the absence of Yuvraj Singh, notched up his 2^nd ODI half century. He was dismissed soon after reaching the milestone trapped in front of the wickets of the bowling off Randiv for 54.

Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni then took charge of the innings with Raina providing the much needed impetus in the middle overs. He smashed 68 off 55 balls including three sixes and four boundaries before he was caught at mid-wicket off Angelo Matthews with India at 258-5 in the 47^th over.

Dhoni, in the company of Ravindra Jadeja, then took India past 300 before he was dismissed in the final over of the innings.

For Sri Lanka, Suraj Randiv was the most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 51 off 10 overs.

Match Summary:

India 301 for 7 off 50 overs (Dhoni 107, Raina 68, Kohli 54, Randiv 3 for 51) vs Sri Lanka

Tagged with: India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Nagpur, Sachin Tendulkar, Sri Lanka, Suraj Randiv, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag

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