We lost a game we should have won: Ganguly

Kunal Pradhan

Captain Sourav Ganguly has branded India's six-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the triangular one-day tournament as inexcusable.

The Indians restricted Sri Lanka to 221 in Sunday's day-night game but could only manage 215 for seven in reply. Ganguly scored 69 and Rahul Dravid 49 not out, a score which did not include a single boundary.

"We lost a game we should have won," Ganguly told reporters on Monday.

"We had the match in control when we needed 22 runs in three overs. The ball was turning, but then wickets here always turn. There is no excuse."

This was the third straight low-scoring match at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka won the tournament opener against New Zealand, who then beat India on Friday.

Ganguly added: "I thought the target was very achievable. The wicket was okay and we knew that if we got one good partnership, we would get to 220 very comfortably."

India needed 17 runs from the last two overs but Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya conceded five runs from the 49th over with his left-arm spin and off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena only another five in the 50th.

"If we can't get six more runs with three wickets in hand on that track, then I think we are in trouble," Ganguly added.

India will be under pressure to win at least three of their next four games to qualify for the August 5 final.

Hosts Sri Lanka are already almost assured of going through.

"It was one the best one-day matches I've played in," said skipper Sanath Jayasuriya.

"Winning by six runs was great after we didn't have enough runs on the board.

"Ganguly played a superb knock. However, once Ganguly got out, the pressure was on the Indians and we didn't relent. When we got Ganguly, I thought we had the match."

Sri Lanka play New Zealand on Wednesday.

Mail Cricket Editor