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| Sunday, 25 December 2005 |
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India move up to second in Test rankings by Sanjay Rajan, AHMEDABAD, India, Dec 24 (Reuters) Leg spinner Anil Kumble capped his 100th test appearance with a five-wicket haul to lead India to a 259-run victory over Sri Lanka on the last morning of the final test on Thursday. The victory sealed the three-match series 2-0 after the rain-affected first test ended in a draw and India have now moved up to second in the ICC rankings, above England but behind Australia. Kumble, who set up India's 188-run victory in the second test with a 10-wicket haul, took two more wickets on Thursday to end with five for 89 and dismiss Sri Lanka for 249. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who took seven for 62 in the first innings, ended with a match-haul of 10 for 141. Sri Lanka, resuming at 235-6, were bowled out 30 minutes into the day. Harbhajan was declared man of the match and Kumble man of the series. Sri Lanka, chasing an unlikely 509 for victory, lost two wickets at the overnight score of 235 to become eight down. Kumble struck when he had Farveez Maharoof lbw in the second over of the day and it was all over soon after that. Sri Lanka, who lost a one-day series in India 6-1 in October-November, have still to win a test on Indian soil after six tours. Thursday's loss was their biggest defeat by runs by India, beating the previous figure of 235 in Colombo in 1993. Indian opener Virender Sehwag told reporters: "The winning habit is important for us. "Our bowlers did a great job. The wicket was slow and damp and we realised that if we got to 250 in the first innings it was enough on this pitch." India made 398 in their first innings and 316-9 declared in their second. Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody described India as force at home. "Over here they carry a huge amount of momentum," he said. "They played some good, solid cricket, they played with confidence and certainly the team looked like they were enjoying their cricket." |
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