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Dravid leads India to victory

25/10/2005

India have beaten Sri Lanka at Nagpur in the first of four one-day internationals by a convincing 152-run margin.

The home side batted first and posted a formidable score of 350, thanks mainly to a 164-run second wicket stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan.

Tendulkar, playing his first international match for over six months, looked like he had recovered fully from his elbow injury with a crucial innings of 93 off just 96 balls.

And Pathan contributed 83 off just 70 balls, helping the profitable partnership to a run rate in excess of six an over.

It was always going to be a struggle for Sri Lanka after India reached 200 in just 31 overs, but a fightback from the bowlers saw the batting side reduced from 205 for 1 to 247 for 4.

But a blinding knock from captain Rahul Dravid, who scored an undefeated 85 off just 63 balls, left Sri Lanka in dire straits.

Things were looking up for Sri Lanka when they found themselves at 74 for 1 in reply, with Sanath Jayasuriya (27) and Kumar Sangakkara (43) at the crease.

But the canny spin of Harbhajan Singh decimated the Sri Lankans, and they found themselves languishing at 126 for 8 with no chance of recovery.

Singh took three quick wickets to expose the tail, at which point super-sub spinner Murali Kartik took three more.

A wagging tail enabled Sri Lanka to save some face, but they were eventually dismissed for 198 in under 36 overs.

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