Ishant bowls India to victory

COLOMBO: India fended off a spirited challenge by Sri Lanka to snatch a thrilling 15-run victory in the second one-dayer and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. After posting a competitive 256 for 9, the visitors quelled Sri Lankan late fight back to stop them at 241 with four balls to spare in a pulsating floodlit encounter.Visiting fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who took three wickets in the first match, returned figures of four for 56 from his nine overs and Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar and Pragyan Ojha chipping in with a wicket apiece. Thilina Kandamby's brilliant unbeaten 93 went in vain as Indians held on to their nerves in the tense final moments to romp home at the day-nighter. With this win, India have notched up their seventh consecutive ODI victory.Electing to bat, India scored 256 for nine with Yuvraj Singh (66) and Virender Sehwag (42) being the main contributors on a slow track at Premadasa stadium. The two teams will play their next match, another day-nighter, at the same venue on February 3. The visitors were on the driver's seat early on reducing the Lankans to 36 for three within eight overs. But two fighting half centuries by captain Mahela Jayawardene (52) and rookie Kandamby (93 not out) took Lanka to striking distance of a marvellous victory. (AFP Photo)Scorecard In pics Watch: Match highlights I lost my cool: Dhoni