Dhoni stuns S/Lanka to win Celkon Cup

With India seemingly headed for defeat chasing 202, Dhoni played a captain’s knock, trusting his teammates when necessary before unleashing his fury on pacer Shaminda Eranga in the last over.

Needing 15 runs in six balls, the 32-year-old Dhoni utilised just four deliveries to clinch the title and set off wild celebration in the stands and on the field with his teammates rushing to embrace him.

The Indian fans were a nervous wreck when Dhoni missed a wild heave off Eranga’s first ball but had no idea what was to follow. Walking down the track next ball, Dhoni struck Eranga straight over his head and onto the Gerry Gomez Media Centre for a monstrous six before slashing the next delivery for a boundary.

And with five runs needed from three, the skipper put a nervous-looking Eranga out his misery with another six, this time over cover to stun the Sri Lankans as India reached 203 for nine in 49.4 overs.

Dhoni deservedly was the Man-of-the-Match with his crucial knock which included five fours and two decisive sixes as India reaffirmed their status as the number one ODI team in the world despite being on the brink of an early exit from the tri-nation tournament just a week ago.

It was a stunning climax to an exciting final which was a rematch of the recent ICC Champions Trophy with India coming out on top against their Asian counterparts once more.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma stroked a defiant half-century to put the Indians on course to overhauling their opponents’ 201 all out but were derailed by the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath who grabbed four for 20 from 10 overs to turn the match on its head.

The loss, however, would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Sri Lankans who looked headed for a score around 250 in their innings before losing their last eight wickets for 30 runs.

Veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara (71) and Lahiru Thirimanne (46) provided the platform with a 122-run third-wicket partnership but once both were dismissed, Sri Lanka had a monumental collapse that gave India impetus.

Eranga, the villain with the ball, had earlier pegged India’s reply back with a double blow. He got rid of the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan (16) and Virat Kohli (2), both edging behind to wicketkeeper Sangakkara.

Opener Rohit Sharma endured a difficult start to his innings but endured and grew with confidence as the game progressed.He lost Dinesh Karthik caught at slip off Herath but Sharma later brought up his 50 off 80 balls in the company of a confident-looking Suresh Raina.

After the drinks break, however, Herath was energised and began to spin his web of doom.

He triggered a slide by bowling Sharma with a ball that kept low and Raina gave Sangakkara another catch, out for 32 off Suranga Lakmal. Herath then trapped Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin lbw off consecutive balls to make it 152 for seven.

Dhoni was at the crease, though, and there was still hope for India. He entrusted five Malinga deliveries to Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was trapped plumb in front by a menacing yorker.

A fan seemed to have been upset by Malinga’s heroics as he was hit with a plastic bottle that momentarily stopped the game. But in company with Ishant Sharma, Dhoni denied his rivals victory with a knock that would be remembered by all at the Oval.

Earlier, Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga (11) and Mahela Jayawardene were casualties in an impressive eight-over opening spell from Kumar. But Sangakkara and Thirimanne repaired the damage with a sensible approach on a tricky surface.

Sangakkara got to his 50 off 85 balls in the 33rd over before his partner moved into the forties with back-to-back fours off Sharma.

The lanky pacer would get the breakthrough, removing Thirimanne four shy of his half-century and three runs later Sangakkara was caught by Vinay Kumar off Ashwin.

With the duo removed, Sri Lanka were unable to maintain the momentum, losing their remaining wickets cheaply.

Kusal Perera was stumped for two off Ashwin while Dinesh Chandimal gifted Ashwin a catch off the bowling of Jadeja for five.

Matthews was next to go, offering catching practice to Vinay Kumar off Sharma while Herath was stumped by Dhoni on the second attempt off Jadeja for five. Jadeja then cleaned up Malinga (0) and S Lakmal (1) in the penultimate over.