As the coin was flipped before the start of the game, many in the stands were at the edge of their seats with a few even biting their nails. At the R Premadasa Stadium, the scenes that are generally seen in the final moments of a tense one-dayer are played at the start of the game just after the rival skippers head to the pitch in the company of match officials.

The locals heaved a collective sigh of despair as MS Dhoni called the coin correctly and he mouthed the most predictable lines expected from any skipper in his position. “Of course we’ll bat,” he said.

And while they did win the match, it wasn’t quite the stroll in the park despite Sachin Tendulkar’s sublime century that had taken the visitors to a commanding 319. Led by useful contributions right through the innings, Sri Lanka stuck with the required run-rate for most of the chase, but wickets at regular intervals saw them fold up for 273 in 46.4 overs, as Dhoni’s team completed a 46-run victory to win the tri-series.

Batting high

On Monday, there were several batting highs and virtually all bowlers, except Harbhajan Singh, regretted their choice of profession.

One of the most famous sights that is connected to Indian cricket is of Sachin Tendulkar raising his hands, gazing at the skies and acknowledging the applause of the crowd. On Monday he did it again, and the occasion was his 44th ODI hundred, a stunning 138 that came off 133 balls with 10 boundaries and a six. Later in the day Harbhajan Singh came up with an aggressive bowling spell, picking up the Man of the Match award for his five-wicket haul.

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