Christmas Eve at Eden in Kolkata was about three youngsters and one a touch older. Upul Tharanga, Suranga Lakmal, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir enhanced their reputations. It was a pity only two of them ended on the winning side but the outcome of the match should take nothing away from the character they showed as India clinched the five-match series with one game to spare. For the first time in four matches an even contest between bat and ball was on display. And even though the willow had a slight edge, especially in the second session because dew made it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball, the medium-pacers had their share of dominance early in both innings. It was difficult to understand Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bat first, especially after he got a decent feel of the conditions in this part of the country at Cuttack. Tharanga scored his seventh ODI ton to take Sri Lanka past the 300-run mark and rookie pacer Lakmal, who made his debut in the second match of the series in Nagpur, gave the visitors the start they were looking for. Handed the new ball for the first time, along with debutant Thissara Perera, 22-year-old Lakmal spat fire, beating openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar on more than one occasion and ultimately dismissing both. Sri Lanka saw a window of opportunity open but this time a youngster from Delhi, 21-year-old Virat Kohli, picked up the challenge. With his senior state teammate Gautam Gambhir at the other end, Kohli, shone bright amid a floodlight snag and an increasing haze that made it difficult for fielders to pick up the ball difficult from the stands. Together, the Delhi duo made a chase of 316 look easy, making it the highest successful chase at the ground. It was important for Gambhir to stay on as long as possible with Suresh Raina being the only other middle-order batsman with some experience, to follow. Gambhir also ensured that the asking rate was always within reach. The two brought up a 200-run partnership in more than a run-a-ball to bat Sri Lanka out of the series. Gambhir and Kohli got to triple figures with singles off successive deliveries, and received a standing ovation from an enthralled crowd at Eden Gardens. This they did after the two stalwarts Virender Sehwag had departed for 10 runs and the veteran Sachin Tendulkar was gone for only 8 runs. It was 23 for 2 wickets when Gambhir-Kohli got to work. By the time Kohli was out for a well-made 107 runs, an Indian win was solidly assured. At the end of the match, Gambhir was awarded the trophy as Player of the Match. In a gracious act he handed it over to his Delhi team mate Virat Kohli saying he deserved it. It was a touching gesture. For Gambhir that was his seventh ODI century; for Kohli it was his first in India's 7 wicket win over Sri Lanka. Kohli had earlier successfully captained India Under-19 team to win the World Cup. He also was responsible for the final win in the Emerging Cricketers Championship with a scintillating 104. Chasing 316 to win the tie and seal the series with one match to go, India found themselves in the morass at 23 for two before Gambhir (150 not out) starred in an 224-run stand with Kohli (107) to inject life into the chase and then completed the formality in Dinesh Karthik's (19 n.o.) company. Sri Lanka had made 315 runs for 7 where Taranga had made a ton.

The wobbly start notwithstanding, it was a clinical chase by the Indians who cruised to 317 for three in 48.1 overs to go 3-1 up in the five-match series.

Gambhir became the newest member of the 3000-run club, faced 137 balls in his controlled innings, hitting 14 fours in the process.
Kohli's mature 114-ball knock was studded with 11 fours and a six.

Earlier, Upul Tharanga (118) also hit his seventh ODI century and starred in a 126-run partnership with Captain Kumar Sangakkara (60) as Sri Lanka posted 315 for six, the highest score at the venue till India overwhelmed it.

After Tharanga and Sangakkara had laid the perfect platform for a late charge, debutant Thissara Perera hit a 14-ball 31 to make the most of the batting powerplay and help the visitors cross the 300-mark.

India's chase got off to a wobbly start and the Eden Gardens crowd watched in horror as the home side lost both their openers inside four overs with Suranga Lakmal, playing only his second ODI, being the party-pooper.

Stand-in skipper Virender Sewag (10) had begun with a bang, sending the first ball of the innings from Perera to the rope, a treatment he repeated four balls later.

Lakmal, however, had other ideas and his fourth delivery took an edge off Sehwag's blade and nestled into point fielder Tillakaratne Dilshan's safe palms.

In his next over, Lakmal induced Sachin Tendulkar (8) for a doomed cut and Suraj Randiv sent groans across the stadium when he took the catch at cover point.

Their team in dire strait, Kohli and Gambhir showed tremendous maturity as they rebuilt the innings, brick by brick, with some sensible cricket.

For someone who owes his place in the side to Yuvraj Singh's finger injury, Kohli asserted himself with four successive boundaries off Lasith Malinga's first over.

Subsequent overs were not equally rewarding but both ran hard to maintain the run rate.

Kohli fell soon after his century but by then, India had the match in the bag.

Just when the Lankan innings was getting over, the floodlights near the giant scorecard went off, delaying the proceedings for about 23 minutes, much to the embarrassment of the organizers.

Dropped on seven by Ashish Nehra off his own bowling, Tharanga went on to hit 118 from 128 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.

With hard-hitting opener Tillakaratne Dilshan (9) and Sanath Jayasuriya (15) coming a cropper, Tharanga and Sangakkara did the bulk of Lankan scoring during their 142-ball stand.

Sangakkara made 60 from 72 balls before he was stumped off the bowling of Harbhajan.

After Sangakkara won the toss and decided to set a target, home side bowlers Nehra and Zaheer Khan started off beautifully, restraining the destructive opening duo of Dilshan and Tharanga.

In fact, Nehra started off with a maiden over -- India's first in the ongoing five-match series.

The Lankans had a rather sluggish start with just nine coming from the first five overs but soon Tharanga began to open up after he was given a life.

He was at his explosive best when he smashed five boundaries in the first over of Ishant Sharma, who came in as one-change after Nehra had given the breakthrough by taking the prized scalp of Dilshan.

A superb catch by Virat Kohli at long leg brought the end of Dilshan as Sri Lanka lost their first wicket for 31 after eight overs.

Back in the side, Jayasuriya looked in fine nick in his run-a-ball 15 before he edged Zaheer in the first slip.

At 72 for two, Sri Lanka almost lost another wicket but Harbhajan dropped Sangakkara on zero and the Lankan skipper went on to play a supporting role to centurion Tharanga. The left-handed duo played some sensible cricket with Tharanga playing the role of an aggressor.

Zaheer and Nehra took two wickets each with the former being the best Indian bowler of the day.

12/29/09