India have booked a place in Saturday’s tri-series final against Sri Lanka with a comprehensive 105 run win over the BLACKCAPS in Dambulla.
Virender Sehwag was the hero for India as he saved their floundering innings by hitting 110 off 93 balls to take their total from 66 for four to a defendable 223 all out.
The defence was led by Indian seamer Praveen Kumar who ripped the heart out of the BLACKCAPS batting line up with three early wickets, including the key scalps of Ross Taylor and Scott Styris, to reduce the Kiwi’s to 22 for four.
Kane Williamson got a start with 13 and registered the highest score of the recognised batsmen. Kyle Mills plundered an entertaining 52 off 35 deliveries at the end of the inning but lacked support as the BLACKAPS were bundled out for 118 off 30 overs – their lowest total against India.
Earlier, he of the Indian line up were made to work hard for their runs with BLACKCAPS quick Tim Southee taking four for 49 and spinner Nathan McCullum returning three for 35 to restrict India.
MS Dhoni provided some support for Sehwag with 38 with Ravindra Jadeja’s 17 the only other double figure score for India.
