Team India's best moments during Diwali Week

#5 India vs Sri Lanka, Jaipur, October 2005

A legend was born on Diwali day in 2005

This was the third match of the series. India won the first two matches. Sri Lanka batted first and backed up by contributions from veterans Kumar Sangakkara(138) and Mahela Jayawardene(71) amazed 298 for 4 in 50 overs. Sangakkara’s 138 came off 147 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes.

Needing to score 6 runs per over, India lost Sachin Tendulkar early in the innings for just 2. When everyone expected the captain Rahul Dravid at the wicket at the fall of Sachin’s wicket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked in. It was an instinctive move by skipper Dravid.

Dhoni was quite for the first 7 balls he faced. The 8th ball he faced in his innings from Vaas was wide outside the off-stump. Dhoni reached for it and smacked the ball over cover for a six. An extraordinary shot from Dhoni to begin with.

Dhoni repeated the same shot in Chaminda Vaas’s next over. Atapattu replaced Vaas was with Maharoof who was hit for a six and a four in his first over. In his next over, Maharoof was plundered for 3 fours by Dhoni. Dhoni reached his 50 off just 40 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

To slow down the pace of the innings, Atapattu brought in spin from both the ends. The introduction of Muralitharan led to the fall of Sehwag’s wicket for 39. India were 100 for 2 when Dravid joined Dhoni.

Dhoni continued with his merry ways and there was carnage out there in the middle. Chandana was lifted over square leg. Even Murali was not spared as he was hit for two fours in his 5th over. In the 20th over of the innings bowled by Chandana, Dhoni hit a six and a four and moved into the 90s.

In the next over, Dhoni lofted Murali over long-off and reached 96. Dhoni reached his century off 85 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes. At the other end, Murali removed Dravid for 28 with the Indian score on 185.

After reaching his hundred, Dhoni turned his attention once again to Maharoof who was hit for a six and a four. Atapattu in a desperate attempt introduced part-time off-spinner Dilshan into the attack. Dhoni took him on scoring 11 runs in that over.

Atapattu re-introduced Vaas who was thrashed for 3 fours in one over. Dhoni reached his 150 off 123 balls. Dhoni finished with 183 off 145 balls with 15 fours and 10 sixes. Due to Dhoni’s innings, India successfully chased down the stiff target with 23 balls to spare.

On the Diwali day in 2005, a legend had arrived in Indian cricket. India have historically performed well during the Diwali season and their fans will hope for the trend to continue tomorrow in the T20 match against the West Indies.