03 February,2009 03:58 PM IST | | A Correspondent
India stuttered in the beginning but Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag managed to pick up the run rate and give a solid early foundation against Sri Lanka in the third ODI in Colombo.
India decided to go in with the same side that won the second ODI but Sri Lanka picked the experienced Dilhara Fernando over pacer Thilan Thushara what is a must-win game for the hosts.
After electing to bat on a batting-friendly Premadasa Stadium pitch, India started with a bang. Sachin Tendulkar smashed Dilhara Fernando for a big six in the second over. But Tendulkar's struggles continued for the third ODI in a row and he was out of seven to a dodgy lbw decision.
Fernando had the last laugh as he snared Tendulkar lbw but replays showing the ball was straying down the leg side
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This continued the Indian legend's bad run of scores and dodgy lbw decisions after a similar fate in the first two ODIs. Gautam Gambhir (10) stroked a couple of fluent boundaries befor being run-out down the non-striker's end, when Sehwag's straight drive was flicked on by Fernando.
After Gambhir's dismissal, Yuvraj and Sehwag picked up the run rate and picked up the scoring rate. Sehwag was especially brutal. His 34 included three consecutive boundaries off Nuwan Kulasekara.
But Yuvraj was not far behind. He put away with ease and disdain, anything short and wide. Together, the duo added 50 off 44 balls, forcing Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene to make many bowling changes.
When drinks were called, Sehwag had moved to 33 and with Yuvraj overtaking him having cantered along to 30 with India at 96-2 after 14 overs.
