Tri-nation series: ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni does it again as India triumph

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave ample proof of being a class finisher as he held his nerve to steer India to yet another title triumph with a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Tri-nation ODI series final in Port of Spain.
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, center, is hugged by teammates Suresh Raina, left, and Vinay Kumar after their team beat Sri Lanka by one wicket in the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

The Indians first bundled out Sri Lanka for 201 and then overcame some anxious moments before Dhoni (45 off 52 balls) took the team home with just two balls to spare in a dramatic title clash.
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, center, is hugged by teammate Ishant Sharma after he hit a six to beat Sri Lanka by one wicket in the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

Needing 15 from the last over in their chase of 202, Dhoni, returning to the team after recuperating from a hamstring injury, smashed Shaminda Eranga for two sixes and a boundary in just four balls to finish off the game in style at the Queen's Park Oval.
India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni bats against Sri Lanka during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

As the captain slammed Eranga over extra cover for the winning shot, the Indian crowd erupted in joy and the jubilant players ran down the pitch to flank the man of the moment, who remained unbeaten.
Sri Lanka's Shaminda Eranga bowls during the final match against India of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

Coming in at the fall of Suresh Raina's wicket with India in a spot of bother at 145 for five in the 35th over, Dhoni added important runs with the lower order and in the process hit five fours and two sixes.
India's Suresh Raina, right, watches as he's caught behind for 32 runs off Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal, left, during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

While Dhoni played the match-winning knock, Rohit Sharma, who hit five fours and a six, top-scored for India with 58 off 89 balls. Raina contributed 32 off 27 balls.
India opening batsman Rohit Sharma reacts after he was bowled by Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath for 58 runs during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

In pursuit of what ­seemed like a modest target, India lost Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli early to Eranga.
India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan drives a delivery off Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

While Sharma's first four was a slice past point, the next one came off a hook that almost cleared fine leg. Lasith Malinga was carted for three fours -- a drive over extra cover and a pull along the ground was followed by a cut over point.
Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga celebrates after trapping India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar LBW for a duck during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

Desperate to put India under more pressure, Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara appealed against Dhoni for what they felt was obstruction of field while running for a single.
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara drives a delivery off India's Ishant Sharma for four runs during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

Dhoni saw Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and R Vinay Kumar getting dismissed in quick succession, but himself showed nerves of steel to steer his side home in company of number 11 Ishant Sharma.
India's Vinay Kumar bowls during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series against Sri Lanka in Port-of-Spain. (AP)

After fighting their way back into the match, Sri Lanka were crumbling with Jadeja having Dinesh Chandimal. Mathews followed suit as Sri Lanka's innings approached its end.
India's Ravindra Jadeja, left, celebrates with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga, who was caught by Kumar for a duck, during the final match of the Tri-Nation cricket series in Port-of-Spain. (AP)