bhatnaga@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU (Bhatnaga) (08/26/85)
India scored their first win of the tour in the first one day international by defeating Sri Lanka by two wickets today (8/25/85). Sri Lanka, playing first, scored 241 for 6 in 45 overs. India crossed this total losing 8 wickets and with 3 balls to spare. Sri Lanka had a very slow start, scoring only 40 runs in their first 20 overs but later on Roy Dias (80) scored 110 runs in 11 overs with Anura(?) Ranatunge. India had a good start with 67 on board in first 17 overs before they had their (usual) middle order collapse. Vengsarkar helped India cruise through the Sri Lankan total with his 89. Indian innings was opened by Ravi Shastri and Krishnamachari Srikanth. Vengsarkar seems to be in great form. In the first (and only other till now) match of the tour he scored 132 for the team. Otherwise, this three day match was a featureless draw with India conceding first innings lead to the Sri Lankan eleven. Neeraj Bhatnagar ----------------