India sets target of 196 runs for Sri Lanka

India has set a target of 196 runs for Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI of the Commonwealth Bank Series, primarily due to the good performance of the batting stalwarts of the team.

Canberra, Feb 12 : India has set a target of 196 runs for Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI of the Commonwealth Bank Series, primarily due to the good performance of the batting stalwarts of the team.

The young guns fired off a plethora of boundaries, bludgeoning the bowling to make their presence felt at the Manuka Oval at Canberra.

The pair of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma unleashed a flurry of boundaries soon after India's Gautam Gambhir was run out by an outstanding piece of fielding by the Sri Lankan camp on a score of 35 runs.

Earlier, India had suffered two early jolts in their innings as the star opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar fell victims to a brilliant bowling display by the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Tendulkar departed after scoring 32 quick runs while Sehwag hit 14 runs before he was caught at third man.

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardhane won the toss and elected to field first at the Manuka Oval at Canberra.

Rain delayed the start by three-and-half hours but Sri Lanka finally won the toss and decided to field in a shortened match against India in Canberra.

The game was reduced to 29 overs a side following the morning showers, which were so heavy they left puddles around the venue for the ground staff to mop up.

ANI