India beat Sri Lanka by a convincing margin of 80 runs in the second match of the triangular Pepsi Cup series at Nagpur. India made 287/4 while Sri Lanka, whose performance can only get better, was bundled out for 207 in only 38 overs.

India made 287 thanks largely to a record 2nd wicket stand of 236 runs between Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, both of who made centuries. Dravid made his runs at close to a run-a-ball, something which would have gladdened the hearts of those who matter in Indian cricket. Saurav Ganguly took upon the mantle of the senior batsman and was unbeaten, having lasted the full 50 overs. Ajay Jadeja's promotion to opener, in the place of the in-form Sadagopan Ramesh, gave him the opportunity to put to rest all talk about his poor form and his place in the team. Two months ago, on the tour to New Zealand, he was the vice captain. Now 2 series later, Kumble has upstaged him as the vice captain with Ganguly having been the other possible choice of the selectors once Tendulkar refused the vice captaincy.

But Jadeja hardly looked comfortable at the crease, making most of his 11 runs from edges and nudges. One convincing shot went through midoff for a boundary. Vaas put Jadeja out of his misery with a delivery which kicked up from a length, resulting in a simple caught and bowled. A ball earlier, debutant Boteju had put down a fairly simple swirling catch at third man, the batsman to benefit being Ganguly. It wasnt certainly going to be the last dropped catch by the Lankans, as their recent fielding efforts have shown.

Dravid and Ganguly took some time to settle in. There were a few run-out possibilities, with the third umpire being called up on a number of occasions. There were a few dropped catches too. Ganguly got to his fifty first and Dravid followed soon. In fact during almost the entire innings, Dravid was scoring at a quicker pace than Ganguly. After reaching his fifty, Dravid quickened the tempo with some lovely drives in the 'V' as well as what was possibly the shot of the match, a pulled six off Chandana going over widish mid on, played off the backfoot. Ganguly got into the thick of the action soon, lofting the spinners for huge sixes over long on. Dravid got to his 100 first with a push to third man, Ranatunga's misfielding helped Ganguly reach his 100. Dravid ultimately got out trying to force the pace, getting a leading edge to Boteju at cover, who thankfully held on this time.

Azharuddin came in to bat in the 48th over with the task of pushing things along and trying to get to a total of around 290. He didnt last too long as Chandana took a wonderful diving catch at long off, the bowler being Wickramasinghe. Kambli, making a comeback to the Indian team after being out of it for close to a year, lasted two balls, the first one flicked for a brace and he was out soon, lofting Vaas straight down long off's throat. Ganguly hung around and got some quick runs at the fag end. India thus finished at 287, which was a very good total considering that India hardly had been going at 4 runs per over for the first 12 overs or so.

Sri Lanka would have hoped to get a good start. But the openers failed miserably. Ajit Agarkar, in his comeback match after missing the Indian tour of New Zealand, struck in the second over as he had Arnold caught by Kambli off a leading edge. Srinath came in for some punishment from Gunawardane, who took 3 boundaries in one over. Agarkar struck in his very next over having Jayawardene caught at mid on by Kumble, once again a poor shot. Then there was a partnership of sorts between DeSilva and Gunawardene, with DeSilva arrogantly hooking Srinath to the squareleg boundary. Agarkar however had DeSilva bowled off an inside edge in the 10th over and Sri Lanka were in tatters at 41/3.

Tillakaratne came in ahead of Ranatunga and provided Gunawardene good support. Gunawardene was looking dangerous when he was out lbw to Chopra, trying to pull and was plumb in front. Ranatunga and Tillakaratne then had a good partnership. They were never really in trouble against the spinners. Ranatunga in particular was very comfortable against Kumble and Chopra. Laxmi Ratan Shukla, on his debut match, bowled a fairly good first over but soon he strayed in line and length and the runs came in torrents. Chopra was brought back to stem the flow of runs and he responded immediately, having Tillakaratne brilliantly stumped by Mongia.

Saurav Ganguly came in to complete the fifth bowler's quota since Shukla wasnt very effective. He struck immediately, having Ranatunga lbw, the TV commentators feeling it was a poor decision. Ranatunga didnt bother to hide his disappointment and indicated to the umpire that he had been struck on the thigh. Chandana was really the only one with any sort of batting ability left. He struck some good blows to put Sri Lanka in a situation where they could have thought of victory. Ganguly's extraordinary spell put an end to it all. He got a wicket in each of his remaining three overs. First to go was Kalpage, brilliantly stumped by Mongia. Then Boteju was bowled trying to pull across the line. Kumble had the dangerous looking Chandana bowled with a quicker delivery and it was all over when Vaas drove Ganguly straight to Shukla at cover.

Ganguly's unbeaten century and his four wicket haul in only four overs gave him the Man of the Match award. The next match of this series is between India and Pakistan at Jaipur on March 22nd.