Bright start,tame end

After opting to bat,the Indian batsmen thrived on the flatbed but slipped towards the end and ended up scoring about 30 runs short of the desired target to make the second half engrossing.

Sri Lankan bowlers kept the run flow under control as they conceded just 7,8,5,9 and 7 runs in the last five overs. The Sri Lankans did attempt to bounce out the Indians but the unresponsive pitch that lacked pace didnt help their ploy. Dinesh Karthik cut the first delivery towards point boundary and later danced down to heave the ball over the mid-wicket to spoil Angelo Mathews first spell. The brashness was back in Indias top order. But the promising innings ended when Karthik was caught and bowled by Lasith Malinga.

Suresh Raina walked in showed his deft touch and crisp timing all around the Beausejour cricket ground even as Gautam Gambhir looked determined to play the anchor.

With the heavy outfield not allowing them to score quickly,Raina and Gambhir came up with Plan B. They ran hard between the wickets as India reached 90 from 10 overs with minimal risk. Gambhir was out for 41,when Malinga returned in the 12 over.

Raina continued to score and went on to make his third T20 international half-century. Raina survived a stumping off Randiv on 47 and a caught and bowled chance off Thilan Thushara when on 50. He was eventually out for 63 from 47 balls. Yuvraj Singh failed once again and so did Yusuf Pathan. And that meant India was far from their comfort zone.

Brief score: India 163 for 5 in 20 overs S Raina 63,G Gambhir 41,L Malinga 2/25 vs Sri Lanka