India vs Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews Fights His Way to Top ODI Batting Charts for 2014
India has so far been a grueling experience for Sri Lanka but visiting captain Angelo Mathews has been on the top of his game and he proved it with a compact, unbeaten 92 in his side's six wicket defeat to the hosts in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Sri Lanka have had a nightmarish tour of India so far, losing the first two ODIs by 169 runs and six wickets, but skipper Angelo Mathews has held firm, becoming the top scorer in ODIs so far this year.
The batting all-rounder remained unbeaten on 92 off 101 balls and added 90 for the fourth wicket with Kumar Sangakkara, who struck a stylish 61 off 86 balls to give Sri Lanka a fighting 275 after the Indian attack had removed the dangerous Tillekaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene early on. (Rayudu Stakes World Cup Claim With Maiden Ton)
Mathews, who took over as Sri Lankan captain in February 2013 has led from the front, smashing 1357 runs at an average of 46.79, including ten fifties, in 46 ODIs. Mathews has been in brilliant form this year, leading the batting charts with 838 runs from 22 matches at an average of 64.46 including seven fifties. He is closely followed by Sangakkara (802 runs in 20 matches) at second and Virat Kohli (796 in 18 matches) at third.
Had it not been for a fantastic rearguard knock by Mathews, Sri Lanka would have been subjected to further humiliation at the hands of the powerful hosts. But the Sri Lankan captain, who called for better cricket from his side, gave his bowlers a total to defend, thanks to his 23rd half-century and fourth vs India.
Mathews despite his impressive run in ODIs over the last one year, is yet to get a hundred and his unbeaten 92 in Ahmedabad is his second highest score in ODIs, next only to the 93 off 115 balls vs Pakistan at Hambantota on August 26, 2014.
Matthews is the third Sri Lankan captain to post a ninety vs India in ODIs in India. The first two were Arjuna Ranatunga, who had made 98 at Hyderabad on February 18, 1994 and Kumar Sangakkara who scored 90 at Rajkot on December 15, 2009.
The Sri Lankan skipper has turned out to be a great asset for his team at number five. He is adept at building innings in the middle overs and accelerating later with the tail end. A perfect example of Mathews' ability to stitch partnerships with lesser accomplished batsmen was the unbroken 54-run stand he shared with Dhammika Prasad (30 not out) for the ninth wicket. This was Sri Lanka's second-highest stand for this wicket vs India in ODIs, next only to the 63 between Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Lokuhettige at Nagpur on October 25, 2005.