Sri Lanka beat India by 51 runs in ODI

Lahiru Thirimanne was spared a potentially controversial run-out to lead the scoring as Sri Lanka set World Cup champion India a challenging target of 290 to win Tuesday’s tri-series limited-overs international.

Thirimanne stroked 62 from 63 balls before he scooped a catch to Suresh Raina off Ravi Ashwin’s last ball, helping Sri Lanka to 289-6 from 50 overs.

After Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) and Mahela Jayawardene (45) shared a 95-run opening stand, Thirimanne shared parterships of 71 for the fourth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (38) and 49 for the fifth wicket with Angelo Matthews, who finished unbeaten on 49 from 37 balls.

Thirimanne was 44 and backing up out of his crease at the non-striker’s end in the 40^th over when Ashwin whipped off the bails during his delivery action, a rare and unpopular mode of dismissal commonly known as a Mankad.

India appeared to withdraw the appeal after Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar consulted with the umpires, saving umpire Paul Reiffel from having to adjudicate.

Thirimanne continued and posted his second ODI half century before he mistimed a pull shot at the end of the 46^th over and Raina took a good, diving catch in the outfield.

Raina also chipped in with a wicket in his only over, bowling Thissara Perera (10) with his first ball with Sri Lanka’s total at 265-6.

Paceman Irfan Pathan (2-54) and spinner Ashwin (2-50) took two wickets apiece but the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen in humid conditions and with storm clouds looming to the north of the stadium.

India lost by 110 runs on Sunday chasing 288 against Australia at the same venue and could be in trouble without skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the lineup. Dhoni was suspended for a match due to India’s slow over-rate on Sunday.

Sehwag returned from two matches out with a back problem to deputize as captain for Dhoni. Parthiv Patel stood in as wicketkeeper but had a sloppy day with the gloves.

Tendulkar will continue his quest for a 100^th international century when India replies later Tuesday. He hasn’t scored a test or limited-overs century since last March.