Dhoni registers best wicket-keeping performance in a final

Dambulla: Collective team effort comprising Ashish Nehra’s best bowling performance of the year, Dhoni’s best wicket-keeping performance in a final and gutsy Dinesh Karthik’s maiden fifty against Sri Lanka helped Team India clinch the first Asia Cup in 15 years.

Following are the statistical highlights of the summit clash of the Asia Cup cricket tournament between India and Sri Lanka.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has effected five dismissals (4 catches + 1 stumping) - his best performance as a wicketkeeper in any competition final/Sri Lanka/Asia Cup.

Ashish Nehra (4/40) has recorded his best bowling performance in ODIs in 2010.

Nehra`s aforesaid bowling figures are his best in the Asia Cup.

Chamara Kapugedera (55 not out off 88 balls) has posted his highest innings in ODIs in 2010.

Kapugedera`s seventh ODI half-century is his third against India.

Shahid Afridi has got the Player of the series award for the fourth time in ODIs.

India became the first nation to win the Asia Cup title five times.

India (268-6) have registered their highest total against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Final.

Dinesh Karthik (66 off 84 balls) has recorded his first fifty against Sri Lanka, eclipsing the 48 at Dhaka on January 10, 2010.

Karthik`s aforesaid match-winning innings is his first fifty in the Asia Cup.

Karthik`s well-compiled 66 is his fifth fifty in ODIs.

Karthik has received the Man of the Match award for the second time in ODIs.

Gambhir, with 203 (ave.50.75), became the second player after Shahid Afridi (265) to complete 200 runs in the Asia Cup 2010.

Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli put on a second wicket stand of 62 - India`s highest against Sri Lanka in an Asia Cup Final.

Thilina Kandamby (2/37) has recorded his best bowling performance in ODIs.

Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma were associated in a fifth wicket partnership of 50 - India`s best against Sri Lanka in a tournament final.

Kumar Sangakkara has top-scored for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, aggregating 184 at an average of 46.00 in four matches.

Sangakkara`s overall aggregate of 685 (ave.48.92) is the fourth highest in the Asia Cup - the top three batsmen being Sanath Jayasuriya (1220), Sachin Tendulkar (799) and Arjuna Ranatunga (741)

Lasith Malinga, with 9 wickets at 14.00 runs apiece, is the top wicket-taker in the 2010 edition of the Asia Cup.

Malinga (99) needs just one wicket to complete his century of wickets.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first Indian wicketkeeper and the sixth in ODIs to effect 5 dismissals in a tournament final.

Dhoni became the first and only captain-cum-wicketkeeper to accomplish the feat in a tournament final.

Dhoni became the second wicketkeeper after Kaluwitharana (SL) to effect five dismissals in an innings in the Asia Cup.

Kandamby and Kapugedera have shared a 53-run stand for the sixth wicket - Sri Lanka`s best in an Asia Cup Final.

Ravindra Jadeja`s unbeaten 25 is his best innings in the Asia Cup.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has set a wicketkeeping record for most dismissals in India-Sri Lanka ODIs, eclipsing Kumar Sangakkara`s tally of 51 in 56 ODIs. He now has 55 dismissals in 42 ODIs against Sri Lanka.