Sangakkara erred by batting first: Sehwag by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	V Sehwag, KC Sangakkara
Event:	Sri Lanka in India 2009/10

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DateLine: 25th December 2009

 

India's standby skipper Virender Sehwag, said his team was handed an advantage when Kumar Sangakkara opted to bat.

 

Though the pitch was expected to play slow but the dew held it up well and in the end, Sehwag was proved proved right as Gautam Gambhir posted the highest individual score at the Eden Gardens to help India register the highest successful chase at the venue.

 

"We knew dew would be a factor here, in this weather. Even if I had won the toss, we would have fielded," said Sehwag after India won the series 3-1. "It [Sangakkara's decision] was good for my spinners who could grip the ball when it was dry. The spinners did well for us."

 

India, chasing 316, recieved early shocks when fast bowler Suranga Lakmal dismissed Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, but the chase was soon resurrected by centurions Gambhir and Virat Kohli.

 

"Myself and Sachin Tendulkar got out early but Gauti and Virat batted very well," said Sehwag. "Especially Kohli has done well. He got fifties in the Champions Trophy and against Sri Lanka in his last game. We all knew he had the talent and it was just a matter of performing at the international level."

 

Sehwag's counterpart Sangakkara credited Lakmal and young offspinner Suraj Randiv, but rued the lack of support in the field. Sri Lanka had managed a large score, thanks largely to opener Upul Tharanga's seventh ODI century, but they were outclassed by Gambhir and Kohli.

 

"We started out really well, with Upul Tharanga batting really well and the rest batting around him. Lakmal and Randiv bowled well but there wasn't enough back-up," said Sangakkara. "The fast bowlers should have been more disciplined. Gautam and Kohli batted quite brilliantly."

 

Gambhir, who was declared the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 150, was all praise for his young partner Kohli who batted his way to a maiden century.

 

"I've been pretty unfortunate in the last two innings but I am happy to play a good knock to help us win the series. And its been fantastic to get a hundred in Eden Gardens."